Mortgage Express Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and PI insurers. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This software assists the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their instructions, with notifications given on Mortgage Express’s changes. While using the software is not a prerequisite for Mortgage Express , demonstrating you can remain up to date with Mortgage Express’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your application to their lender panel and, just as importantly, safeguard your firm’s panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces regulatory and CQS reports, and will increase your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Mortgage Express

Mortgage companies often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Mortgage Express are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, frequently:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Mortgage Express has made 138 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 19.8 days. In total, 35% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Mortgage Express have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
3.1.6 01/12/2014 CML
verification of identity
6.14.1b 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance in joint names or lender interest noted
16.4.1 30/06/2014 CML
Consent to Let
Contact details at Mortgage Express for consent to let.
1.7 30/06/2014 CML
General Mortgage Instructions
Contact details at Mortgage Express for approved lawyers to if Mortgage Express will lend when borrower and mortgagor are not one and the same.
17.2.1b 12/07/2013 CML
Evidence of Discharge of Mortgage
Do Mortgage Express send the discharge via a DS 1 form or direct with the Land Registry?
12.3.1 01/12/2010 CML
Instalment Mortgages
Do Mortgage Express have a specific contact point for their conveyancing panel for release of retentions/mortgage advance instalments?
5.15.2a 01/12/2010 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
Contact details at Mortgage Express for approved lawyers for apparent problems with the management company.
5.19.1 01/12/2010 CML
Shared Ownership and Shared Equity
Contact details at Mortgage Express for conveyancing panel lawyers for lending on affordable housing, shared equity and shared ownership and where relevant Mortgage Express requirements.
6.5.1 01/12/2010 CML
Vacant Possession on Completion
Contact details at Mortgage Express for approved lawyers were vacant possession is not being given.
6.6.4 01/12/2010 CML
Houses in Multipe Occupation
Mortgage Express approved conveyancer requirements where the property comes within the definition of a house in multiple occupation

Last update 19/07/2019

Q and A’s regarding the Mortgage Express (No 2) Solicitor Panel from members of the public

Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not on the Mortgage Express (No 2) Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the standard of her work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Mortgage Express (No 2).
Our solicitor has identified a problem with the lease for the apartment we are buying. The other side have suggested defective title insurance as a solution. We are content with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor says that as he is on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel he must check that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Mortgage Express (No 2)?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Mortgage Express (No 2) are the client. A precondition to being on the Mortgage Express (No 2) approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Mortgage Express (No 2)). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Mortgage Express (No 2) can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Chelsea on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Mortgage Express (No 2) ?
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..
My solicitors in Newcastle have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with Mortgage Express (No 2). Is it case that being on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Mortgage Express (No 2) Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Mortgage Express (No 2) directly.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with Mortgage Express (No 2). Conveyancing is new to me. 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 Mortgage Express (No 2) you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel.
I have a mortgage with Mortgage Express (No 2). Conveyancing was finalised 12 months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Mortgage Express (No 2)?
You must advise Mortgage Express (No 2) prior to renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Mortgage Express (No 2)’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Mortgage Express (No 2) directly. You need not do this via a Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel firm.
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.