RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the CML and PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk management tool.

This software optimises the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their requirements, with automatic updates on RBS - Direct Line’s changes. While utilising the software is not a condition for being on the RBS - Direct Line panel, demonstrating you can stay up to date with RBS - Direct Line’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your firm’s panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor creates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. In addition it is user friendly, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by RBS - Direct Line

Banks and building societies frequently 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
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 approved 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
5.5.1b 01/12/2014 CML
conveyancing requirements in terms of time for building regulation consents
6.14.1a 01/12/2014 CML
contact point if property is not insured in accordance with lender requirement
6.14.1b 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance in joint names or lender interest noted
6.14.1c 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance total sum insured calculation
6.14.2 01/12/2014 CML
requirement that all insurance risks are included
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)
6.7.1 16/09/2014 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes

Last update 19/07/2019

Q and A’s regarding the RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the RBS - Direct Line panel of conveyancing solicitors. How easy is it to change conveyancer?
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.
My conveyancer has uncovered a difference between the surveyor’s assumptions in RBS - Direct Line’s home valuation report and what is in the legal papers for the property. My lawyer informs me that as he is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel he needs to ensure that the bank is with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my lawyer’s stance correct?
A precondition to being on the RBS - Direct Line approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on RBS - Direct Line) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
How do I find a local solicitor on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 25 miles to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel tool on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the RBS - Direct Line solicitor panel.
My grandmother passed away 10 months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the house. The house had a relatively small loan left on it of around £8000. I want to have the title changed into my name whilst I re-mortgage to RBS - Direct Line , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then RBS - Direct Line will insist on your using a conveyancer on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the RBS - Direct Line mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the RBS - Direct Line panel is any good?
seeking recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer handling your transaction
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 new to me. 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.
Next month my fiance and I are purchasing a 1st floor apartment in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon will soon begiven the go-ahead. My brokersuggested that we make sure that the property lawyer in Hendon is on the RBS - Direct Line panel. Is this right?
A limited percentage of Hendon conveyancing practices are on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. Click here to search for a Hendon conveyancing practitioner on the on the RBS - Direct Line list of approved conveyancing firms.