Common questions asked concerning the National Westminster Bank Solicitor Panel from members of the public
My fiance and I are buying a 1 bedroom flat in Newcastle with a mortgage from National Westminster Bank. We like our lawyer but National Westminster Bank says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the National Westminster Bank panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for National Westminster Bank
I am due to move into my new home next Thursday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as as he informs me that he is duty bound to validate that it is in order for National Westminster Bank. What does the insurance need to cover?
Any lawyer on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in National Westminster Bank’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on National Westminster Bank). Being on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
I have been searching for online conveyancing estimates. Can I be assured that all the firms that are identified on your site are on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel?
The law firms listed on our site have assured us via an online form that they are on the National Westminster Bank panel and agreed to advise us to take down their listing in the event of removal off of the National Westminster Bank panel. To date we have not been informed by either a bank or a member of the public that the data about a specific firm being on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel is not accurate.
We're in Liverpool, First time buyers buying with a mortgage (lender is National Westminster Bank , but our solicitor is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with National Westminster Bank. Solicitors have been chosen? How long does it take for National Westminster Bank to send the offer to our conveyancer
Some lenders take longer than others. Have National Westminster Bank done the valuation? Have you advised National Westminster Bank as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel? sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued
Completion of my purchase has taken place with a loan from National Westminster Bank. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about National Westminster Bank. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the National Westminster Bank branches or the Customer Care Department at National Westminster Bank head office. Ordinarily complaints to National Westminster Bank are resolved effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
My ex -wife’s name is on the National Westminster Bank 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 National Westminster Bank mortgage in order to sell?
As regards the National Westminster Bank 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 National Westminster Bank 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.
