Topaz Finance Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers such as AmTrust. It is a unique risk management tool.

This software assists the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their requirements, with notifications given on Topaz Finance’s changes. Even though using the tool is not a condition for acceptance on the Topaz Finance panel, demonstrating you can stay up to date with Topaz Finance’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, more importantly, safeguard your panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. In addition it is user friendly, cost-effective and, for some firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Topaz Finance

Banks and building societies frequently vary 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, over time:

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.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
16.5.3d 08/06/2015 CML
Option Agreements
Contact details at Topaz Finance plc for approved lawyers to send option agreements .
1.7 08/06/2015 CML
General Mortgage Instructions
Contact details at Topaz Finance plc for approved lawyers to if Topaz Finance plc will lend when borrower and mortgagor are not one and the same.
4.5a 08/06/2015 CML
Mortagge valuation - Reinspections
Contact details at Topaz Finance plc for approved lawyers where re-inspection required
6.3.1 08/06/2015 CML
Purchase Price
Contact details at Topaz Finance plc for conveyancing panel lawyers to used where there are any issues relating to purchase price.
6.14.1a 01/12/2014 CML
contact point if property is not insured in accordance with lender requirement
6.14.3 01/12/2014 CML
notification of non-renewal/cancellation for buildings insurance policy
5.15.2a 01/12/2010 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
Contact details at Topaz Finance plc for approved lawyers for apparent problems with the management company.
5.5.1a 01/12/2010 CML
requirements in terms of time for planning consents
5.5.4 01/12/2010 CML
Planning Permission and Building Regulations : Restrictions
Contact details at Topaz Finance plc for conveyancing panel lawyers where the property is subject to restrictions which may affect its value or marketability
Restrictive Covenant Indemnity Insurance
6.14.1a 01/12/2010 CML
contact point if property is not insured in accordance with lender requirement

Last update 04/11/2019

Topaz Finance Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers from members of the public

I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Topaz Finance panel of conveyancing solicitors. How easy is it to change conveyancer?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
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.
I am planning to acquire a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in London who is on the Topaz Finance approved. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Topaz Finance . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
I am considering applying for a Topaz Finance mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) with 60% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Topaz Finance?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor but Topaz Finance will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel?
It is true that some lenders now use CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
Can I be sure that the solicitor on the Topaz Finance panel is any good?
Getting recommendations is a good start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advocate that you speak with the lawyer conducting your conveyancing
I have instructed a lawyer having made sure that they are on the Topaz Finance conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property? Or Having digested plenty of house buying,I note that they all recommend that you should 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 correct?
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.