Hampden Solicitor Panel Example Support Desk Enquires from members of the public
I am progressing with the sale of my maisonette and the EA has just e-mailed to warn that the purchasers are changing their law firm. The excuse is that Hampden will only deal with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a major lender only engage with specific lawyers?
UK lenders have always had an approved set of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as HSBC, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for more than 15 years.
Lenders point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Hampden will not agree to this. Why was Hampden even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Hampden conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Hampden of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Hampden then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Hampden.
How do I find a local solicitor on the Hampden conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 25 kilometers to meet the lawyer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Hampden solicitor panel.
My conveyancers in Liverpool have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Hampden. Is it case that being on the Hampden conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Hampden Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Hampden directly.
What are the common reasons for a lender such as Hampden to withdraw a mortgage offer?
Banks and Building Societies such as Hampden can revoke their mortgage offer although this rarely happens. If Hampden withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to the reasons why. There are various possible reasons but here are 5 examples:
- If the financial circumstances of the borrower have changed to the detriment and the Hampden has been notified
- Where to proceed with the Mortgage offer would be unlawful
- Following advice from the valuer on their lender panel or If the lender has doubts about the effectiveness of the valuation as a result of subsequent events or information received post valuation but pre completion
- If the lender reasonably suspects that the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor is involved in any criminal or fraudulent activity, including trading in illegal drugs or other substances, theft, robbery, deception or other serious offences, or if the applicant borrower, mortgagor or guarantor has a conviction for any serious criminal offence, including theft, deception, fraud, robbery or trade in illegal drugs or other substances;
- If the lender reasonably believe that the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor is insolvent or is about to become insolvent or has or will have a petition presented or if any one or all enter into any arrangement with their creditors generally or if any one or all should suffer a material change in their financial circumstances
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Hampden. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Hampden you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Hampden conveyancing panel.
Planning on purchasing a flat with a mortgage with Hampden. 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 Hampden 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 Hampden conveyancing panel
