Examples of recent questions relating to the Topaz Finance Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
The conveyancer my husband and I wanted to use for conveyancing on a remortgage said he would charge more if my mortgage is with Topaz Finance because of their difficult processes! Will I regret using Topaz Finance? Is Topaz Finance conveyancing so much more difficult?
Topaz Finance conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders.
It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender.
It is not clear if your lawyer is on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as Topaz Finance will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
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 Topaz Finance will not agree to this. Why was Topaz Finance even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Topaz Finance of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Topaz Finance then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Topaz Finance.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Coventry on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the Topaz Finance 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. Before you appoint your lawyer we advise you to speak to two or three of the firms listed to gain comfort as to which one is right for you..
My solicitors in Birmingham have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with Topaz Finance. Is it case that being on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?
Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Topaz Finance Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Topaz Finance directly.
I have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a conveyancer recommended by my mum and he recommended using a solicitor approved by Topaz Finance. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Topaz Finance if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Topaz Finance pointed out that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Topaz Finance 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of Topaz Finance for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Lenders have them all over the country. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Topaz Finance conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Topaz Finance’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
The mortgage over my property is with Topaz Finance. Conveyancing has been completed some time ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Topaz Finance?
Topaz Finance must be informed of your intention in advance of renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Topaz Finance’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Topaz Finance directly. You need not do this via a Topaz Finance conveyancing panel solicitor.
My ex -wife’s name is on the Topaz Finance mortgage of my property but not on the land registry. The apartment was transferred to me on our divorce many years ago by way of a sealed court order. Does my ex still have a say on the sale even though the land registry showing the property in my name alone? Will I be required to take her name of the Topaz Finance mortgage in order to sell?
In terms of the Topaz Finance mortgage, it is unusual that your ex-wife’s name remains on the mortgage but not on the title. It is conceivable that this is an oversight on the part of your conveyancers to ensure that her name was removed or even an administrative error on the part of Topaz Finance in failing to update their data. In any event, it should cause difficulty providing her name no longer appears on the Land Registry title and you have a court order ordering that the property is transferred to you.