Common questions asked concerning the Landmark Mortgages Conveyancing Panel
from members of the public
I am in the process of selling my apartment and the EA has just telephoned to advise that the buyers are swapping property lawyer. The excuse is that Landmark Mortgages will only engage with solicitors on their approved list. Why would a leading lender only deal with certain law firms?
Mortgage companies have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as Nationwide , have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Lenders point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
I am buying a new build duplex and my conveyancer is advising me that she has to reveal incentives from the seller as her practice is on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and my preference is not to delay the conveyancing. Is my lawyer right?
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 require the services of a Landmark Mortgages panel solicitor in Stirling. Can you assist?
It is not clear why you need a Landmark Mortgages panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Landmark Mortgages to find out which solicitors in Landmark Mortgages are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
We're in Wales, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is Landmark Mortgages , but our solicitor is on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Landmark Mortgages 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
Is it the case that all conveyancing solicitors on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel regulated by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
We expect to receive a DIP from Landmark Mortgages this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Landmark Mortgages recommend a solicitor on the Landmark Mortgages 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 Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Landmark Mortgages through the process.
I have not been happy with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Landmark Mortgages conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
Complaining to Landmark Mortgages about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this 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.
