Examples of recent questions relating to the Landbay Partners Solicitor Panel
from members of the public
My wife and I are first time buyers. Within the 48 hours our solicitor has forwarded the sale agreement to sign with a detailed report with a view to exchanging next week. Landbay Partners have this evening contacted us to advise us that they have now hit a problem as our conveyancer is not on their approved list of lawyers. Is this a problem?
When purchasing a property with the benefit of a mortgage it is usual for the purchaser's solicitors to also act for the purchaser's lender.
In order to act for a bank or building society a law firm has to be on that lender's conveyancing panel. An application has to be made by the law firm to the lender to become a member of the lender's panel and there are increasingly strict criteria which the firm has to satisfy and indeed some lenders now require their panel members to be part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Accreditation Scheme.
Your solicitors should contact Landbay Partners and see if they can apply for membership of the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel, but if that is not viable Landbay Partners will instruct their own solicitors to act. You don't have to instruct a firm on the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel and you may continue to use your own solicitors, in which case your legal fees may increase, and it may delay matters as you have another set of people involved.
Much to my surprise my property lawyer has requested from me ID documents stating that this is part of his retainer as a solicitor on the Landbay Partners Solicitor panel. Am I being spun a yarn?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that Landbay Partners also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with Landbay Partners CML Handbook requirements last updated on Landbay Partners
How up to date is your search tool for the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel? Do Landbay Partners send you an updated list?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Landbay Partners directly.
I am purchasing a terraced house and getting a mortgage with Landbay Partners. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel in your location.
Can you point me to a directory of Landbay Partners panel solicitors 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 have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Landbay Partners. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have 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 Landbay Partners you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Landbay Partners conveyancing panel.
The for formalities of my remortgage has taken place with a loan from Landbay Partners. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Landbay Partners. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the Landbay Partners branches or the Customer Care Team at Landbay Partners head office. In most cases complaints to Landbay Partners are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service with full details of your complaint.