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. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system assists the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their instructions, with automatic updates on RBS - Direct Line’s changes. While utilising the software is not a prerequisite for RBS - Direct Line , 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, safeguard your firm’s panel standing.

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 a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by RBS - Direct Line

Mortgage companies frequently vary 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 186 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 14.7 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.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
17.1.1 28/12/2017 CML
Redemption Statements
Contact details at The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages for conveyancing panel lawyers to request redemption statements .
5.7.1b 02/12/2016 CML
Freehold Flats
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages approved lawyers clarification as to whether they lend on freehold flats
Flying Freehold Indemnity Insurance
16.3.1 31/05/2016 CML
Transfer of Equity
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages clarification as to whether they have a standard form of Transfer of Equity/Deed of Covenant?
6.7.1 17/11/2015 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
6.7.4 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
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
6.14.2 01/12/2014 CML
requirement that all insurance risks are included
6.7.1 16/09/2014 CML
New Build Conveyancing
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes

Last update 21/03/2019

FAQs : The RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I was advised recently by my estate agent that my property lawyer is not on the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor panel. How can I check?
The first thing you need to do is to contact your lawyer directly. You lawyer should advise you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a firm that is on the the approved RBS - Direct Line solicitor panel.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company RBS - Direct Line will not agree to this. Why was RBS - Direct Line even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform RBS - Direct Line of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to RBS - Direct Line then they would have to discontinue acting for you and RBS - Direct Line.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Middlesbrough on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the RBS - Direct Line approved panel?
We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
I am trying to get my ex-wife taken off the mortgage deeds. Can RBS - Direct Line really insist on which solicitor I can or can not instruct?
You can use any solicitor you like but RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line solicitors panel
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 RBS - Direct Line be concerned
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line your lawyer must to check the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for RBS - Direct Line . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to RBS - Direct Line 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.
I have paid off my mortgage with RBS - Direct Line. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the RBS - Direct Line panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your RBS - Direct Line mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the RBS - Direct Line mortgage from the register. RBS - Direct Line,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage: but are not moving to another property where the RBS - Direct Line has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and the RBS - Direct Line has instructed the Land Registry to do so The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your RBS - Direct Line mortgage has been paid off.
Completion of my remortgage has taken place with a mortgage from RBS - Direct Line. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about RBS - Direct Line. How do I make a complaint?
Most lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the RBS - Direct Line branches or the Customer Services Department at RBS - Direct Line head office. Ordinarily complaints to RBS - Direct Line are sorted out very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.