Hodge Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

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

This system assists the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their instructions, with alerts on Hodge’s changes. While using COMPLETIONmonitor is not a prerequisite for Hodge , demonstrating you can remain up to date with Hodge’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, just as importantly, protect your panel status.

The software creates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, results in reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Hodge

Banks and building societies often vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Hodge 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, Hodge has made 71 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 38.5 days. In total, 33% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Hodge have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Q and A’s regarding the Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I am progressing with the sale of my flat and the EA has just called to warn that the buyers are swapping property lawyer. The reason given is that Hodge Life will only work with solicitors on their approved list. Why would a leading mortgage company only work with certain law firms?
Mortgage companies have always had panels 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 25 years.

Banks blame a rise 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.

I am purchasing a newly built apartment and my solicitor is informing me that she has to disclose incentives from the builder as her firm is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel. The Estate Agents are hassling me to sign contracts and I dont want to delay deal. is my lawyer taking the correct approach?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Hodge Life approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hodge Life). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Chelsea on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the Hodge Life approved panel?
We do not recommend specific firms as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
We're in Liverpool, First timers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Hodge Life , but our solicitor is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
I had instructed online solicitors located in Cardiff who are on the Hodge Life solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate fee of £195 for the legal aspects of the Hodge Life mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee set by Hodge Life?
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 Hodge Life but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Hodge Life will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Hodge Life panel is any good?
Getting recommendations is a good 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 advise that you speak with the solicitor handling your conveyancing
I have today made my last payment due on mortgage with Hodge Life. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Hodge Life panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm
If you have finished paying off your Hodge Life mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Hodge Life mortgage from the register. Hodge Life,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage: but are not moving to another property where the Hodge Life has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and the Hodge Life has instructed the Land Registry to do so The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Hodge Life mortgage has been paid off.