Kent Reliance Conveyancing Panel Recently Asked Questions from members of the public
Much to my surprise I have been told by my estate agent that my property lawyer is not on the Kent Reliance Solicitor panel. What can I do to be certain that this is indeed the case?
The first thing you need to do is to contact your lawyer directly. You lawyer should advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for Kent Reliance.
We are only a couple days away from an exchange and my mum and dad having transferred 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 Kent Reliance. I am advised that, being on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Kent Reliance if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I advised the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for this now to be an issue?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Kent Reliance 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 Kent Reliance if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Hackney on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the Kent Reliance approved panel?
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. Before you appoint your lawyer we advise you to speak to two or three of the firms listed to gain comfort as to which one is right for you..
What happens if my solicitor is expelled from the Kent Reliance Solicitor panel prior to completion?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
Can you point me to a directory of Kent Reliance panel conveyancers on the CML Handbook 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 have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Kent Reliance. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Kent Reliance you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel.
My ex -wife’s name is on the Kent Reliance mortgage of my property but not on the land registry. The apartment was transferred to me on our divorce many years ago by way of a sealed court order. Does my ex still have a say on the sale even though the land registry showing the property in my name alone? Will I be required to take her name of the Kent Reliance mortgage in order to sell?
In terms of the Kent Reliance mortgage, it is unusual that your ex-wife’s name remains on the mortgage but not on the title. It is conceivable that this is an oversight on the part of your conveyancers to ensure that her name was removed or even an administrative error on the part of Kent Reliance in failing to update their data. In any event, it should cause difficulty providing her name no longer appears on the Land Registry title and you have a court order ordering that the property is transferred to you.