FAQs for the Habito Solicitor Panel from members of the public
My husband and I are hoping to buy a 1 bedroom flat in Hackney with a mortgage from Habito. We would like to retain our solicitor but Habito says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Habito panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that Habito use our lawyer?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Habito 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 Habito
Can you clarify something for me?. For no fault of my lawyer but, my purchase conveyancing has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from Habito was issued random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on Tues etc. My lawyer has advised that as she is on the Habito conveyancing panel she needs to redo the searches as they are no longer acceptable to the lender.
One of the many conditions to being on the Habito approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Habito)which specifies that a local authority search be not more than half a year old. You should nevertheless ask your lawyer to check whether something called ‘search validation’ indemnity insurance is acceptable to Habito.
I am purchasing a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in who is on the Habito conveyancing. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Habito . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is suspended from the Habito Solicitor panel in advance of completion?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
Are all solicitor practices on the Habito conveyancing panel overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Habito conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
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 Building Society 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 husband and I are purchasing a garden flat in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are about to beappointed. My friendadvised that we check that the property lawyer in Hendon is on the Habito list of approved conveyancing firms. Aren't all lawyers on the Habito panel?
Not all Hendon conveyancing practices are on the Habito conveyancing panel. 5 people a month use our search tool to locate a Hendon conveyancing practitioner on the on the Habito list of approved conveyancing firms.