FAQs for the ITL Mortgages Solicitor Panel from members of the public
For what reasons could a firm of solicitors be excluded from the ITL Mortgages solicitor panel?
According to a recent survey report by the solicitors regulator three quarters of solicitor practices had been excluded from a lender panel. The most common reasons in order are :
- lack 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 ITL Mortgages
My conveyancer has uncovered an inconsistency when comparing the assumptions in ITL Mortgages’s home valuation report and what is revealed within the title deeds. My lawyer says that as he is on the ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel he is duty bound to ensure that the bank is with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my conveyancer’s approach right?
A precondition to being on the ITL Mortgages approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on ITL Mortgages) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
I have been Googling for online conveyancing estimates. Can I be assured that all the practices that are identified on your website are on the ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel?
The solicitor and licensed conveyancing practices listed on our site have advised us that they are on the ITL Mortgages panel and agreed to advise us to take down their listing in the event of removal off of the ITL Mortgages panel. To date we have not been informed by either a lender or a member of the public that the data about a specific firm being on the ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel is not accurate.
We're in Wales, First time buyers buying with a mortgage (lender is ITL Mortgages , but our solicitor is on the ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the ITL Mortgages 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
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. ITL Mortgages have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
As you are obtaining a mortgage with ITL Mortgages your lawyer must to check the ITL Mortgages conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for ITL Mortgages . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to ITL Mortgages where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
My brother and I have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a conveyancer previously used by my brother and he suggested instructing a law firm approved by ITL Mortgages. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked ITL Mortgages if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. ITL Mortgages pointed out that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of ITL Mortgages 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of ITL Mortgages for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet ITL Mortgages’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
At last I have had an offer on an apartment accepted, the seller does however have a dependent purchase. The vendors have offered on somewhere, but not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other properties booked. My conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. What do I do now? When should I get the mortgage app going with ITL Mortgages?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey/valuation, conveyancing search costs, etc). First you should check that your solicitor is on the ITL Mortgages conveyancing panel. As to the next stages this very much depends on the circumstances of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. In a hot mortgage some buyers would pally for the mortgage with ITL Mortgages and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their solicitor to press on with searches.