Saffron Building Society Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

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

This software facilitates the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their requirements, with notifications given on Saffron Building Society’s changes. Notwithstanding that using the tool is not a prerequisite for Saffron Building Society , demonstrating you can remain up to date with Saffron Building Society’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, just as importantly, safeguard your firm’s panel standing.

The software generates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will increase your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, leads to a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by Saffron Building Society

Banks and building societies frequently vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Saffron Building Society 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, Saffron Building Society has made 139 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 19.6 days. In total, 58% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Saffron Building Society 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
5.14.15b 01/12/2014 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing
Saffron Building Society approved lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : acceptability of indemnity insurance where the terms of the lease are unsatisfactory
Absentee Landlord Indemnity Insurance
5.17.5a 01/12/2014 CML
Power of Attorney
Saffron Building Society requirements for approved lawyers as to whether Saffron Building Society need to be sent power of attorney
5.5.3b 01/12/2014 CML
Planning Permissions
Saffron Building Society panel lawyers clarification as to whether they need to send an original/copy of any planning permissions
Lack of Planning Permission Indemnity Insurance
6.14.1b 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance in joint names or lender interest noted
9.1 01/12/2014 CML
Defective Title Insurance
Saffron Building Society clarification to panel lawyers clarification as to whether Saffron Building Society need to be sent the indemnity insurance policy
Adverse Possession Indemnity Insurance Possessory Title Indemnity Insurance Missing Deeds Indemnity Insurance Defective Title Indemnity Insurance
3.1.3 01/12/2014 CML
Conveyancing Solicitors Details for Sellers
Do Saffron Building Society require notification form their approved lawyer of the name and address of the solicitors firm or licensed conveyancers firm acting for the seller?
3.2.4 30/06/2014 CML
Sellers not having Legal Representation
Contact details at Saffron Building Society for conveyancing panel lawyers to used where Saffron Building Society needs to be notified when the seller does not have legal representation.
5.13.1 30/06/2014 CML
Balance of Monies
Contact details at Saffron Building Society for conveyancing panel lawyers where borrower is not providing balance of purchase price from funds/proposing to give second charge.
Insolvency Act Indemnity Insurance Deed of Gift Indemnity Insurance
5.14.10 30/06/2014 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing
Saffron Building Society panel lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : contact for service charge matters
6.12.1 30/06/2014 CML
Pre-emption Rights, Options and Pre-emption Rights
Contact details at Saffron Building Society for approved lawyers to used where Saffron Building Society needs to be notified where property is affected by pre-emption rights, resale restrictions, options etc .

Last update 27/03/2020

Common questions asked concerning the Saffron Building Society Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor is not isted on the Saffron Building Society Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of his conveyancing?
That would more than likely be a wrong assumption to make. 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 Saffron Building Society.
I am buying a new build duplex and my conveyancer is informing me that she has to reveal incentives from the seller as her practice is on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to sign contracts and I dont want to delay deal. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Saffron Building Society panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Saffron Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Saffron Building Society). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Coventry on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the Saffron Building Society 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 buying a right to buy flat and getting a mortgage with Saffron Building Society. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel in your location.
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from Saffron Building Society as we wish to carry out alterations or improvements our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Saffron Building Society do not ordinarily appoint 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 Saffron Building Society panel
I have instructed a lawyer having made sure that they are on the Saffron Building Society conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property? Or Having digested plenty 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 normal?
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.
Saffron Building Society have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Saffron Building Society or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Saffron Building Society will tell you what documents they want. Saffron Building Society will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Saffron Building Society will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.