Vida Homeloans Solicitor Panel Recently Asked Questions from members of the public
My Solicitor has never been on on the Vida Homeloans Conveyancing Panel. Can I still continue with my family solicitor notwithstanding that they are excluded from the Vida Homeloans list of approved lawyers?
You have a number of options available to you here:
- Complete the purchase with your existing solicitors but Vida Homeloans will need to instruct a lawyer on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel. This will result in additional cost and potential delay.
- Get a new solicitor to act in the purchase, obviously checking they are on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel.
- Urge your lawyer to apply to join the Vida Homeloans lender panel
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 Vida Homeloans will not agree to this. Why was Vida Homeloans even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Vida Homeloans of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Vida Homeloans then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Vida Homeloans.
I need to find a Vida Homeloans panel solicitor in Belfast. Could you help me?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Vida Homeloans panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Vida Homeloans to find out which solicitors in Vida Homeloans are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
I am refinancing my apartment does my lawyer need to be on the Vida Homeloans Conveyancing panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel, but Vida Homeloans would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.
Can I be sure that the solicitor on the Vida Homeloans panel is any good?
Getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. 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 solicitor conducting your transaction
For 5 years I had a mortgage with Vida Homeloans. My father has just retired and wants to pay off the mortgage left on the property. After Vida Homeloans is paid, I want to transfer the property to my mother's name; How long will it roughly take? Do we need two separate solicitors on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel? I do not intend to live at the property once the Vida Homeloans mortgage is discharged.
You
will need a solicitor but they need not be on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel.
You will need a solicitor to draw up the transfer and
to deal with the Land Registry formalities. The only thing you need to
consider is that by selling at an undervalue so ask your lawyer about
the implications. There could be an inheritance tax issue if you die
within 7 years of this. There's no capital gains tax for you as it is
your main residence.
The for formalities of my remortgage has taken place with a mortgage from Vida Homeloans. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about Vida Homeloans. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Vida Homeloans branches or the Customer Services Team at Vida Homeloans head office. In most cases complaints to Vida Homeloans are resolved very quickly. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.
