RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and professional indemnity insures. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system is the only way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their requirements, with alerts on RBS - Direct Line’s changes. Notwithstanding that using the tool is not a condition for being on the RBS - Direct Line panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with RBS - Direct Line’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, just as importantly, safeguard your panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor creates real-time alerts, automatically produces COLP and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by RBS - Direct Line

Lenders often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from RBS - Direct Line are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, frequently:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, RBS - Direct Line has made 188 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 14.5 days. In total, 45% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for RBS - Direct Line have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
14.2.1 28/12/2017 CML
Post Completion Conveyancing
Where should approved lawyersfor The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages send the title deeds and documents following completion?
16.1.1 28/12/2017 CML
Title Documents
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages details for requesting Title Documentation
5.7.1b 02/12/2016 CML
Freehold Flats
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages panel lawyers clarification as to whether they lend on freehold flats
Flying Freehold Indemnity Insurance
5.19.1 19/07/2016 CML
Shared Ownership and Shared Equity
Contact details at The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages for approved lawyers for lending on affordable housing, shared equity and shared ownership and where relevant The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages requirements.
6.7.1 12/02/2016 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
6.7.1 17/11/2015 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
6.7.4 13/01/2015 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : will the The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages proceed if the property does not have the benefit of a new home warranty scheme
6.14.1 04/12/2014 CML
Building Insurance
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages panel lawyers additional requirements concerning building insurance
6.14.1d 01/12/2014 CML
maximum excess re building insurance
3.1.5 01/12/2014 CML
ID Documentation
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages panel lawyers requirements re ID Documentation: Further acceptable documents (if any)

Last update 20/05/2019

FAQs for the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor Panel from members of the public

Is the fact that my conveyancer is not on the RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the standard of the firm’s work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for RBS - Direct Line.
Expecting to move into my new home next Friday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as he says that he has to check this in has capacity as lawyer for RBS - Direct Line. What risks do RBS - Direct Line expect the insurance to cover?
All property lawyers on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in RBS - Direct Line’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on RBS - Direct Line). Being on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these requirements.
I am looking to buy a house and need a conveyancing solicitor in London who is on the RBS - Direct Line approved. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for RBS - Direct Line . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
I am considering remortgaging my property does my lawyer need to be on the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor panel?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor but RBS - Direct Line will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from RBS - Direct Line as we wish to carry out alterations or improvements our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
RBS - Direct Line do not ordinarily 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 RBS - Direct Line list
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with RBS - Direct Line. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line you will need to appoint a solicitor on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel.
At last I have had an offer on an apartment accepted, the seller does however have a dependent purchase. The vendors have offered on somewhere, but not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other properties in the pipeline. My conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. What should be my next step? When should I get the mortgage app going with RBS - Direct Line?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey/valuation, conveyancing search costs, etc). First you should check that your solicitor is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. As to the next stages this very much depends on the circumstances of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. In a hot mortgage some buyers would pally for the mortgage with RBS - Direct Line and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their solicitor to press on with searches.