FAQs for the Pepper Money (UK) Conveyancing Panel
from members of the public
I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Pepper Money (UK) panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
I do hope you can help me. My conveyancer is informing me me that he is legally obliged to apply for a Local Authority search as the firm are on the Pepper Money (UK) solicitor panel. Is this really necessary?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. As you are taking a mortgage with Pepper Money (UK) your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Pepper Money (UK)’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Pepper Money (UK). even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
I note that you have a search directory identifying firms on the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for my house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
My house is up for sale and I have a buyer. Does my solicitor have to be on the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
We are getting a further advance on our mortgage from Pepper Money (UK) as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Pepper Money (UK) would not normally instruct 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 Pepper Money (UK) panel
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Pepper Money (UK) be concerned
As your lender is Pepper Money (UK) your lawyer must to check the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Pepper Money (UK) . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Pepper Money (UK) where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The mortgage over my property is with Pepper Money (UK). Conveyancing was finalised months ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Pepper Money (UK)?
You must advise Pepper Money (UK) in advance of letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Pepper Money (UK)’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Pepper Money (UK) 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 Pepper Money (UK) directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel firm.