Landmark Mortgages Conveyancing Panel Example Support Desk Enquires from members of the public
Can you please explain the reason why all property lawyers aren't included on the Landmark Mortgages Conveyancing panel?
Landmark Mortgages and other mortgage companies tend to imposes restrictions either the type or the number of conveyancing solicitors on their panel. A common example 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 Landmark Mortgages have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any member of Landmark Mortgages 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.
I am buying a newly built apartment and my conveyancer is advising me that she is duty bound to reveal incentives from the developer as her firm is on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to exchange and I dont want to delay the conveyancing. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Landmark Mortgages panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Landmark Mortgages approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Landmark Mortgages). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
I see that you have a search directory listing solicitors on the Landmark Mortgages 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 Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I am in the process of mortgaging my apartment does my lawyer need to be on the Landmark Mortgages Conveyancing panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel, but Landmark Mortgages would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same transaction.
Why might a lender such as Landmark Mortgages withdraw a mortgage offer?
Lenders such as Landmark Mortgages can revoke their mortgage offer although this is unusual. If Landmark Mortgages withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to the reasons why. There are many potential reasons but here are a few examples:
- Amendments if purchase price adjusted and the loan to value limits exceeded by this. Please note that Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel solicitors would be obliged to notify Landmark Mortgages of a change in the price of the property.
- Where the purchase price and borrowers direct contribution differ to details on the mortgage application form completed by the borrower
- Where the sale is not at arms length for value to unconnected persons
- If the lender reasonably suspects that the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor is involved in any criminal or fraudulent activity, including trading in illegal drugs or other substances, theft, robbery, deception or other serious offences, or if the applicant borrower, mortgagor or guarantor has a conviction for any serious criminal offence, including theft, deception, fraud, robbery or trade in illegal drugs or other substances;
- If the solicitor on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel acting for the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor cannot comply with Landmark Mortgages ‘s instructions
My brother and I have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a conveyancer recommended by my uncle and he advised instructing a solicitor approved by Landmark Mortgages. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Landmark Mortgages if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Landmark Mortgages suggested that either practice can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Landmark Mortgages 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of Landmark Mortgages for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Landmark Mortgages’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
Planning on purchasing a house with a mortgage with Landmark Mortgages. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Lender if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel
