Frequently asked questions relating to the Kent Reliance Conveyancing Panel
from members of the public
My mortgage broker has says he needs my lawyer’ panel reference for the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Can you suggest how I obtain this. I have tried my local Kent Reliance office but they don't know it.
the sensible thing to do is ask for this information from your solicitor. A law firm is likely to keep a file or database of lender panel information which would include, if applicable their conveyancing panel details for Kent Reliance.
can you help? My lawyer is informing me me that she is duty-bound to conduct a Local Authority search because the firm are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Do I not have a choice here?
You have limited options available to you. As you are taking a mortgage with Kent Reliance your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Kent Reliance’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Kent Reliance. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
I note that you have a post code search directory identifying solicitors on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for my house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I was due to move into my first house last Friday. My solicitor is on the Kent Reliance solicitors panel but has changed address in the past couple of months and had not informed Kent Reliance of their new address. Kent Reliance has locked down the release of mortgage funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Kent Reliance branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can assist.
When it comes to lenders such as Kent Reliance do lawyers have to be pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
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.
Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Kent Reliance. Solicitors have been instructed? How long does it take for Kent Reliance to send the offer to our conveyancer
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Kent Reliance completed the survey? Have you advised Kent Reliance as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through
On the whole I have been dissatisfied with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Kent Reliance conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
There is little point in complaining directly to Kent Reliance. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is addressed by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.