FAQs for the Foundation Home loans Solicitor Panel from members of the public
My fiance and I are buying a 2 bedroom apartment in London with a mortgage from Foundation Home loans. We have a lawyer but Foundation Home loans says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the Foundation Home loans panel solicitors or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Foundation Home loans conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Foundation Home loans
My husband and I intend to remortgage our penthouse with Foundation Home loans. We have a son 18 who lives with us. The solicitor on the Foundation Home loans conveyancing panel requested us to identify any adults other than ourselves who lives in the flat. The solicitor has now sent a form for our son to sign, giving up any rights in the event that the apartment is repossessed. I have a couple of questions (1) Is this form unique to the Foundation Home loans conveyancing panel as he did not need to sign this form when we remortgaged 3 years ago (2) Does our son by signing this giving up his rights to inherit the property?
On the face of it your lawyer has done nothing wrong as it is established procedure for any occupier who is aged 17 or over to sign the necessary Consent Form, which is purely to state that any rights he has in the property are postponed and secondary to Foundation Home loans .This is solely used to protect the Foundation Home loans if the property were re-possessed so that in such circumstances, your son would be legally obliged to leave.
It does not impact your son’s right to inherit the apartment. Please note that if your son were to inherit and the mortgage in favour of Foundation Home loans had not been discharged, he would be liable to take over the loan or pay it off, but other than that, there is nothing stopping him from keeping the property in accordance with your will or the rules of intestacy.
I require the services of a Foundation Home loans panel solicitor in Inverness. Can you assist?
It is not clear why you need a Foundation Home loans panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Foundation Home loans to find out which solicitors in Foundation Home loans are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
I was due to complete on my dream home two days ago. My lawyer’s firm is on the Foundation Home loans solicitors panel but has moved offices in the past couple of months and had not informed Foundation Home loans of their new address. Foundation Home loans is now refusing to release my funds as the information from the solicitors isn't correct.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Foundation Home loans branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can assist.
I'm in the process of viewing houses and am about to put in an offer. Is it best to have a conveyancer on ‘stand by’? I intend to finance via a home loan with Foundation Home loans
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the estate agent. As you are getting a mortgage with Foundation Home loans , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Foundation Home loans conveyancing panel.
Completion of my remortgage has taken place with a mortgage from Foundation Home loans. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I would like to complain about Foundation Home loans. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the Foundation Home loans branches or the Customer Services Department at Foundation Home loans head office. We understand that complaints to Foundation Home loans are resolved effectively and efficiently. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.
I had an offer accepted on an apartment on the 17th March 2014, valuation was booked 4 days after, received a clean bill of health. Conveyancer retained, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Foundation Home loans and chasing them on my offer I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Foundation Home loans conveyancing panel. Are Foundation Home loans entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Foundation Home loans to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Foundation Home loans conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.
