Frequently asked questions relating to the Pepper Homeloans Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
The lawyer my fiance and I wanted to use for conveyancing on a remortgage said he would charge more if my lender is due to their unusual legal requirements. Am I likely to be frustrated using Pepper Homeloans? Is Pepper Homeloans conveyancing so much more difficult?
Pepper Homeloans conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders.
It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender.
It is not clear if your lawyer is on the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as Pepper Homeloans will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
My son is in the process of securing a new build apartment with a mortgage from Pepper Homeloans. His lawyer has said that there is a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?
The form is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the purchase. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer when asked.
The Developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it.
The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Pepper Homeloans approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Pepper Homeloans solicitor panel.
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is expelled from the Pepper Homeloans Solicitor panel prior to completion?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
Is there a list of Pepper Homeloans panel conveyancers on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Pepper Homeloans be concerned
As you are obtaining a mortgage with Pepper Homeloans your lawyer must to check the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Pepper Homeloans . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Pepper Homeloans where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having made sure that they are on the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
Or
Having digested plenty of mortgage guides,I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Pepper Homeloans conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Pepper Homeloans will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Pepper Homeloans will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey.
You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
or
Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Pepper Homeloans you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.