Halifax Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers such as AmTrust. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This software facilitates the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with automatic updates on Halifax’s changes. Even though using the software is not a prerequisite for Halifax , demonstrating you can stay up to date with Halifax’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, just as importantly, protect your firm’s panel standing.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to a PII saving.

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Lenders frequently change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Halifax 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, Halifax has made 357 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 7.6 days. In total, 39% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Halifax have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
17.1.1 29/08/2018 CML
Redemption Statements
Contact details at Halifax for approved lawyers to request redemption statements .
1.11a 05/06/2018 CML
General Mortgage Instructions
Contact details at Halifax for conveyancing panel lawyers to obtain mortgage documentation
4.5b 05/06/2018 CML
Certificates of Title
Contact details at Halifax for conveyancing panel/approved lawyers where COT should be sent
17.2.1a 15/03/2018 CML
Redemption Payments
Where do solicitors and conveyancers send the discharge and repayment remittance in relation to Halifax mortgages ?
10.11 28/04/2017 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
What interest does the Halifax charge if return of the mortgage advance is delayed?
10.7 28/04/2017 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
In the event of a delayed completion, when and how is advance to be returned to Halifax by the approved lawyer?
6.10.2 18/04/2017 CML
Conveyancing : retenions by mortgage company
Halifax clarification to panel lawyers clarification as to who they release retentions (or instalments of the advance) to
5.17.5b 13/04/2017 CML
Power of Attorney
Halifax requirements for conveyancing panel lawyers as to whether Halifax need to be sent statutory declaration of non-revocation of power of attorney
10.10 12/01/2017 CML
holding the mortgage advance
6.7.1 21/11/2016 CML
New Build Conveyancing
Halifax approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes

Last update 18/11/2019

Common questions asked concerning the Halifax Solicitor Panel from members of the public

My husband and I are hoping to buy a 3 bedroom flat in Leeds with a mortgage from Halifax. We would like to retain our lawyer but Halifax says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Halifax panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; 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 Halifax 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. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Halifax
We are only a couple days away from an exchange and my mum and dad having transferred the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to make a notification to my lender Halifax. Apparently, being on the Halifax conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Halifax if the balance of the mortgage advance is not just from me. I disclosed to the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Halifax to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Halifax if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
I am looking to buy a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in who is on the Halifax conveyancing. Can you recommend a local firm?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Halifax . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
I was expecting to complete on my dream home yesterday. My lawyer’s firm is on the Halifax conveyancing panel but has moved offices 8 weeks ago and had not advised Halifax of their new address. Halifax has locked down the release of mortgage funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is a rare situation indeed. The majority of 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 Halifax branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
I previously instructed online solicitors based in London who are on the Halifax solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £175 for the legal aspects of the Halifax mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Halifax?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Halifax but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Halifax will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Halifax be concerned
Given that your lender is Halifax your lawyer must to check the Halifax conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Halifax . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Halifax where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
My offer was accepted on an apartment on the 17th January 2014, valuation was booked five days after, all came back fine. Conveyancer appointed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Halifax and chasing them on my offer I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Halifax conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Halifax to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Halifax conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.