FAQs for the Holmesdale Building Society Solicitor Panel
from members of the public
For what reasons would a firm of solicitors be removed from the Holmesdale Building Society solicitor panel?
A survey recently commissioned by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority found that three quarters of solicitor practices had been excluded from a lender panel. The top reasons in order are :
- Low volume of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by Holmesdale Building Society
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 Holmesdale Building Society will not agree to this. Why was Holmesdale Building Society even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Holmesdale Building Society conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Holmesdale Building Society of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Holmesdale Building Society then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Holmesdale Building Society.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Newcastle on the Holmesdale Building Society conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Holmesdale Building Society ?
We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another 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..
The firm that just started acting on my house acquisition in Newcastle has without warning shut down. I only went with them because I needed a lawyer on the Holmesdale Building Society conveyancing panel and my family lawyer was not. I paid them £200 on account. What are my options?
If you have an estate agent involved then inform them immediately so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the Holmesdale Building Society conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors may be able to help
When it comes to lenders such as Holmesdale Building Society do lawyers have to be pay a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
Can I be sure that the solicitor on the Holmesdale Building Society panel is any good?
obtaining recommendations is a good starting point. 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 recommend that you speak with the solicitor handling your conveyancing
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 telephoned Holmesdale Building Society on numerous occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Holmesdale Building Society conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply dont know who is right
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for Holmesdale Building Society. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Holmesdale Building Society 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 Holmesdale Building Society to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.