Frequently asked questions relating to the Saffron Building Society Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
It has come to my attention via my estate agent that my property lawyer is not on the Saffron Building Society Conveyancing panel. What can I do to be certain that this is indeed the case?
The first thing you need to do is to contact your conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the the approved Saffron Building Society solicitor panel.
My conveyancer has informed me that he requires ID documents stating that this is part of his requirements as a solicitor on the Saffron Building Society Conveyancing panel. Can this be correct?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that Saffron Building Society also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with Saffron Building Society CML Handbook requirements last updated on Saffron Building Society
I need to find a Saffron Building Society panel solicitor in Belfast. Could you help me?
It is not clear why you need a Saffron Building Society panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Saffron Building Society to find out which solicitors in Saffron Building Society are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
I was due to move into my flat last Friday. My lawyer’s firm is on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel but has moved offices 8 weeks ago and had not informed Saffron Building Society of their new address. Saffron Building Society is now refusing to release my funds as the information from the solicitors isn't correct.
This is a rare situation indeed. The majority of lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Saffron Building Society branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
I previously instructed online solicitors located in London who are on the Saffron Building Society solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate fee of £135 for the legal aspects of the Saffron Building Society mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Saffron Building Society?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Saffron Building Society but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Saffron Building Society will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
I am selling my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in month 6 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s lender, Saffron Building Society are being pedantic. The solicitor who is on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but Saffron Building Society are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Saffron Building Society have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Saffron Building Society have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Saffron Building Society may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having made sure that they are on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
Or
Having read lots of mortgage guides,I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Saffron Building Society will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Saffron Building Society 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 Saffron Building Society you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.