Halifax Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers from members of the public
Can you please explain the reason why all UK lawyers aren't included on the Halifax Conveyancing panel?
Even though it may seem unfair for Halifax to restrict who can act for them from the public’s or solicitor’s point of view, the other side of the coin is that the lenders are becoming ever more anxious and feel the necessary need to protect them from mortgage fraud and other illegal activities. As a result of this concern Halifax are limiting their conveyancing panel to a size that they are happy to control. The Halifax solicitor panel is not the smallest
I do hope you can help me. My conveyancer is informing me me that he has to apply for a Local Authority search as the firm are on the Halifax solicitor panel. The searches cost a lot of money. Can this be avoided?
You have limited options available to you. Given that you are taking out a loan with Halifax 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 Halifax’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Halifax. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
I am Googling for conveyancing quotes online. Can I be assured that all the firms that are identified on your site are on the Halifax conveyancing panel?
The solicitor and licensed conveyancing practices on our directory have assured us via an online form that they are on the Halifax panel and agreed to advise us to take down their listing in the event of removal off of the Halifax panel. To date we have not been informed by either a mortgage company or a member of the public that the data about a specific firm being on the Halifax conveyancing panel is not accurate.
I would like to get my former partner removed the mortgage deeds. Can Halifax really insist on which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but Halifax 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 Halifax solicitors panel
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Halifax conveyancing panel?
A selection of lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS accreditation however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of firms.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Halifax panel is any good?
seeking recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the solicitor handling your transaction
We were going to get a DIP from Halifax this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Halifax recommend a solicitor on the Halifax 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 Halifax conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Halifax through the process.