Penrith Building Society Conveyancing Panel Recently Asked Questions
from members of the public
My husband and I are hoping to buy a 2 bedroom apartment in Hackney with a mortgage from Penrith Building Society. We have a solicitor but Penrith Building Society says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Penrith Building Society 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 Penrith Building Society 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 Penrith Building Society
I am purchasing a brand new apartment and my solicitor is telling me that she is duty bound to disclose incentives from the seller as her practice is on the Penrith Building Society conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and I would rather not prolong deal. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Penrith Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Penrith Building Society). 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 am looking to buy a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in Manchester who is on the Penrith Building Society approved. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Penrith Building Society . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
I would like to get my ex-wife removed the mortgage deeds. Can Penrith Building Society really insist on which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but Penrith Building Society then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Penrith Building Society solicitors panel
When it comes to lenders such as Penrith Building Society do solicitors have to be pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from Penrith Building Society as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Penrith Building Society conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?
Penrith Building Society would not normally appoint firms on their conveyancing panel to deal with such a matter. If they did require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Penrith Building Society list
Can I register a complaint to Penrith Building Society about the lawyers being on the Penrith Building Society conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Penrith Building Society. 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 properly dealt with 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.