Handelsbanken Solicitor Panel Recently Asked Questions from members of the public
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not isted on the Handelsbanken Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of her work?
That would more than likely be a wrong assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Handelsbanken.
My partner and I changing mortgage lender for our penthouse with Handelsbanken. We have a son 18 who lives with us. The solicitor on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel requested us to identify any adults other than ourselves who lives in the flat. Our lawyer has now e-mailed a document for our son to sign, giving up any rights in the event that the property is repossessed. I have a couple of concerns (1) Is this document specific to the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel as he never had to sign this form when we purchased 4 years ago (2) Does our son by signing this giving up his rights to inherit the property?
On the face of it your lawyer has done nothing wrong as it is established procedure for any occupier who is aged 17 or over to sign the necessary Consent Form, which is purely to state that any rights he has in the property are postponed and secondary to Handelsbanken .This is solely used to protect the Handelsbanken if the property were re-possessed so that in such circumstances, your son would be legally obliged to leave.
It does not impact your son’s right to inherit the apartment. Please note that if your son were to inherit and the mortgage in favour of Handelsbanken had not been discharged, he would be liable to take over the loan or pay it off, but other than that, there is nothing stopping him from keeping the property in accordance with your will or the rules of intestacy.
What tools are available to find a local solicitor on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 10 miles to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this website. 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 Handelsbanken solicitor panel.
I am buying a new build flat and getting a mortgage with Handelsbanken. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel in your location.
It is not clear whether my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date . I have called Handelsbanken on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
As long as the conveyancer is on the Handelsbanken panel she or he must comply with the CML Handbook requirements for Handelsbanken. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Handelsbanken will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Handelsbanken to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed
to by Handelsbanken. Is it usual for Handelsbanken to only issue the offer once my
solicitor is approved on their conveyancing panel?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Handelsbanken to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.
My brother and I are purchasing a garden flat in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon will soon beinstructed. My fatheradvised that we check that the property lawyer in Hendon is on the Handelsbanken approved list of lawyers. Aren't all lawyers on the Handelsbanken panel?
Not all Hendon conveyancing firms are on the Handelsbanken conveyancing panel. Click here to search for a Hendon conveyancing practitioner on the on the Handelsbanken panel.