FAQs : The Habito Solicitor Panel
from members of the public
How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find one who is on the Habito conveyancing panel. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
Expecting to move into my new home next Thursday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in has capacity as lawyer for Habito. What does the insurance need to cover?
Any lawyer on the Habito conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Habito’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Habito). Being on the Habito conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
Is it necessary during the course of the conveyancing process to attend the offices of the Habito conveyancing panel solicitor to execute the legal charge? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Newcastle
so that I can pop in to their offices if necessary.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for Habito undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
I was scheduled to move into my dream home yesterday. My lawyer’s firm is on the Habito solicitors panel but has moved offices 8 weeks ago and had not informed Habito of their new address. Habito has locked down the release of mortgage funds as the information from the solicitors isn't correct.
This is a rare situation indeed. 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 Habito branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can assist.
is it true that all solicitors on the Habito conveyancing panel regulated by the SRA?
As a firm of 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).
We expect to receive a DIP from Habito this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Habito recommend a solicitor on the Habito conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Habito conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Habito through the process.
Can I register a complaint to Habito about the lawyers being on the Habito conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Habito. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is addressed by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.