Examples of recent questions relating to the Mortgage Express (No 2) Solicitor Panel from members of the public
My property lawyer is not listed on the Mortgage Express (No 2) Conveyancing Panel. Is it possible for me to retain my preferred solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the Mortgage Express (No 2) list of approved lawyers?
You will need to have a conveyancer complete the legal work required when you take out a Mortgage Express (No 2) mortgage to buy your property. They’ll carry out all the necessary legal checks on the property, make sure that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is in place. You can instruct a conveyancing firm of your choice. However, if the firm selected is not a member of the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel additional costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be required by Mortgage Express (No 2). Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not previously applied for membership they can do so.
My partner and I are refinancing our maisonette with Mortgage Express (No 2). We have a son 18 who lives with us. The solicitor on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel has asked us to disclose anyone over the age of 17 other than ourselves who lives in the flat. The solicitor has now sent a form for our son to sign, giving up any rights in the event that the apartment is forfeited by the lender. I have a couple of concerns (1) Is this form unique to the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel as he never had to sign this form when we remortgaged 4 years ago (2) Does our son by signing this giving up his rights to inherit the property?
On the face of it your lawyer has done nothing wrong as it is established procedure for any occupier who is aged 17 or over to sign the necessary Consent Form, which is purely to state that any rights he has in the property are postponed and secondary to Mortgage Express (No 2) .This is solely used to protect the Mortgage Express (No 2) if the property were re-possessed so that in such circumstances, your son would be legally obliged to leave.
It does not impact your son’s right to inherit the apartment. Please note that if your son were to inherit and the mortgage in favour of Mortgage Express (No 2) had not been discharged, he would be liable to take over the loan or pay it off, but other than that, there is nothing stopping him from keeping the property in accordance with your will or the rules of intestacy.
I note that you have a search directory listing law firms on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for my own conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I am buying a semi-detached house and getting a mortgage with Mortgage Express (No 2). 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 Mortgage Express (No 2) 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 Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel in your location.
Do most lenders operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel requirements are different to Mortgage Express (No 2)’s conveyancing panel requirements.
I'm in the process of looking at houses and am about to put in an offer. Should I already have a conveyancer appointed at this stage? I I am planning to take a home loan with Mortgage Express (No 2)
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the estate agent. As you are getting a mortgage with Mortgage Express (No 2) , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel.
Mortgage Express (No 2) 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 Mortgage Express (No 2) or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Mortgage Express (No 2) will tell you what documents they want. Mortgage Express (No 2) 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. Mortgage Express (No 2) 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.
