HSBC UK Bank Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and PI insurers such as AmTrust. It is a unique risk management tool.

This software assists the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with automatic updates on HSBC UK Bank’s changes. Even though utilising the software is not a condition for being on the HSBC UK Bank panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with HSBC UK Bank’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, more importantly, protect your firm’s panel standing.

The system creates real-time alerts, automatically produces regulatory and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for some firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by HSBC UK Bank

Mortgage companies frequently change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from HSBC UK Bank are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, frequently:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, HSBC UK Bank has made 48 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 56.9 days. In total, 7% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for HSBC UK Bank have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
5.13.1 21/03/2019 CML
Balance of Monies
Contact details at HSBC Bank plc for approved lawyers where borrower is not providing balance of purchase price from funds/proposing to give second charge.
Insolvency Act Indemnity Insurance Deed of Gift Indemnity Insurance
14.2.2 21/01/2019 CML
Post Completion Conveyancing
Which documents should approved lawyersfor HSBC Bank plc send the title deeds and documents following completion?
10.2b 04/12/2018 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
What is the minimum number of days notice HSBC Bank plc require ahead of sending the mortgage advance?
6.6.4 19/11/2018 CML
Houses in Multipe Occupation
HSBC Bank plc approved conveyancer requirements where the property comes within the definition of a house in multiple occupation
14.2.2 30/10/2018 CML
Post Completion Conveyancing
Which documents should approved lawyersfor HSBC Bank plc send the title deeds and documents following completion?
5.5.3b 22/10/2018 CML
Planning Permissions
HSBC Bank plc approved lawyers clarification as to whether they need to send an original/copy of any planning permissions
Lack of Planning Permission Indemnity Insurance
5.5.3c 22/10/2018 CML
Building Regulation Consent
HSBC Bank plc approved lawyers clarification as to whether they need to send an original/copy of any building regulation consents
6.7.1 02/08/2018 CML
New Build Conveyancing
HSBC Bank plc approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
6.7.1 10/07/2018 CML
New Build Conveyancing
HSBC Bank plc panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
10.7 02/07/2018 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
In the event of a delayed completion, when and how is advance to be returned to HSBC Bank plc by the approved lawyer?

Last update 16/11/2019

FAQs for the HSBC Solicitor Panel from members of the public

I instructed a solicitor to carry out on my purchase three weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with HSBC. The solicitors confirmed to me that they are on HSBC conveyancing panel and advised me their panel number. HSBC then told me that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What do I do from here? Should I appoint a new solicitor currently on the approved panel for HSBC?
You may be very frustrated with the lawyer but if it only go take a few more days they it may be worth waiting as, depending on how far progressed you are you may end up delaying the transaction by a number of weeks if you need to replace your solicitor You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the HSBC as to the time frame to get your lawyer reinstated on the panel once again.
We are nearing an exchange and my mum and dad having sent 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 HSBC. I am advised that, being on the HSBC conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform HSBC 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 home loan so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with HSBC 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 HSBC if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
I note that you have a post code search directory listing solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for my conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
The solicitors that just started acting on my purchase in Manchester has without warning closed. They were on acting for me because I needed a lawyer on the HSBC 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 let them know immediately so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. 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 HSBC 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 lawyers may be able to help
Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the HSBC conveyancing panel?
It is true that some banks and building societies now use CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels.
Can you point me to a directory of HSBC panel conveyancers on the Building Society Association’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
I'm in the throws of looking at flats and am about to put in an offer. Should I already have a conveyancer appointed at this stage? I I am planning to take a mortgage with HSBC
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the EA. As you are getting a mortgage with HSBC , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.