FAQs : The Manchester Building Society Solicitor Panel from members of the public
What is the rationale as to why all UK lawyers aren't included on the Manchester Building Society Conveyancing panel?
Manchester Building Society and other mortgage companies normally restrict either the type or the number of conveyancing firms on their approved list of lawyers. Typical examples of such restriction(s) being that a firm must have two or more partners. In addition to restricting the type of firm, some have decided to limit the number of firms they use to represent them. You should note that Manchester Building Society have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any member of Manchester Building Society Conveyancer Panel. Mortgage fraud was a key driver in the rationalisation of conveyancing panels a few years ago and whilst there are differing views about the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics from the Land Registry reveal that thousands of law firms only carry out one or two conveyances a year. Those supporting conveyancing panel cuts ask why law firms should have the right to be on a Lender panel when clearly, Conveyancing is not their speciality? To put it another way; would you want a conveyancing solicitor to represent you if you were charged with a crime; probably not.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Manchester Building Society will not agree to this. Why was Manchester Building Society even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Manchester Building Society conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Manchester Building Society of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Manchester Building Society then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Manchester Building Society.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Manchester Building Society conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Manchester Building Society approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Manchester Building Society conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Manchester Building Society solicitor panel.
I am purchasing a terraced house and getting a mortgage with Manchester Building Society. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Manchester Building Society 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 Manchester Building Society conveyancing panel in your location.
We expect to receive a DIP from Manchester Building Society this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Manchester Building Society recommend a solicitor on the Manchester Building Society conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Manchester Building Society conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Manchester Building Society through the process.
On the whole I have been dissatisfied with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Manchester Building Society conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
Complaining to Manchester Building Society about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get 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.
Manchester Building Society have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Manchester Building Society or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Manchester Building Society will tell you what documents they want. Manchester Building Society will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Manchester Building Society will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.