Habito Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the CML and professional indemnity insures. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system optimises the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their instructions, with notifications given on Habito’s changes. Notwithstanding that using the software is not a prerequisite for Habito , demonstrating you can stay up to date with Habito’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your panel application and, just as importantly, protect your firm’s panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will increase your firm's efficiency. In addition it is simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Habito

Banks and building societies often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Habito are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, over time:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Habito has made 1 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 2730.0 days. In total, 0% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Habito have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
5.14.1 07/10/2019 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing
Habito panel lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : minimum unexpired lease term

Last update 31/03/2020

FAQs : The Habito Solicitor Panel from members of the public

I am hoping to receive a mortgage with Habito. I hope to use a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Habito Solicitor panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC
Habito’s approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders represented by the Council or Mortgage Lenders or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
can you help? My conveyancer is informing me me that he is legally obliged to conduct a Local Authority search as the firm are on the Habito approved lawyer panel. Is this really necessary?
You have limited options available to you. Given that you are taking out a loan with Habito your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Habito’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Habito. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
I note that you have a search directory identifying law firms on the Habito conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for my own conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Habito conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I am attempting to get my former partner taken off the mortgage deeds. Can Habito really insist on which solicitor I can or can not instruct?
You can use any solicitor you like but Habito then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Habito solicitors panel
My husband and I are at the point of viewing apartments and now considering a potential offer. Should I already have a conveyancer appointed at this stage? I intend to finance via a home loan with Habito
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 Habito , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the Habito conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
Intending to buy a flat with a mortgage with Habito. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Habito conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Habito conveyancing panel
My ex -wife’s name is on the Habito mortgage of my property but not on the land registry. The apartment was transferred to me on our divorce many years ago by way of a sealed court order. Does my ex still have a say on the sale even though the land registry showing the property in my name alone? Will I be required to take her name of the Habito mortgage in order to sell?
In terms of the Habito mortgage, it is unusual that your ex-wife’s name remains on the mortgage but not on the title. It is conceivable that this is an oversight on the part of your conveyancers to ensure that her name was removed or even an administrative error on the part of Habito in failing to update their data. In any event, it should cause difficulty providing her name no longer appears on the Land Registry title and you have a court order ordering that the property is transferred to you.