Topaz Finance Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system facilitates the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with alerts on Topaz Finance’s changes. Even though using COMPLETIONmonitor is not a prerequisite for Topaz Finance , demonstrating you can remain up to date with Topaz Finance’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your application to their lender panel and, more importantly, protect your panel standing.

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

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Mortgage companies often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Topaz Finance 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, Topaz Finance has made 200 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 13.7 days. In total, 36% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Topaz Finance have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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FAQs for the Topaz Finance Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I am obtaining a offer of a mortgage from Topaz Finance. my intention is to instruct a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Topaz Finance Conveyancing panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC
Topaz Finance’s conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.
I am due to move into my new home next Thursday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as as he informs me that he is duty bound to validate that it is in order for Topaz Finance. What does the insurance need to cover?
All property lawyers on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Topaz Finance’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Topaz Finance). Being on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these instructions.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Topaz Finance?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Topaz Finance directly.
We're in Liverpool, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is Topaz Finance , but our solicitor is on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
The for formalities of my remortgage has taken place with a loan from Topaz Finance. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Topaz Finance. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the Topaz Finance branches or the Customer Services Team at Topaz Finance head office. We understand that complaints to Topaz Finance are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel that the matter is not 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.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called Topaz Finance on various occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply dont know who is right
As long as the conveyancer is on the Topaz Finance panel she or he must comply with the CML Handbook requirements for Topaz Finance. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Topaz Finance will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Topaz Finance to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having checked that they are on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property? Or I've digested plenty of house buying,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 Topaz Finance conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Topaz Finance will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Topaz Finance 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 Topaz Finance you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.