Vida Homeloans Solicitor Panel Example Support Desk Enquires
from members of the public
I am selling my house and the estate agent has just called to say that the purchasers are switching law firm. The reason given is that Vida Homeloans will only work with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. Why would a major lender only work with certain lawyers?
UK lenders have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Lenders blame a rise in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
Our son is buying a new build apartment with a mortgage from Vida Homeloans. His conveyancer has said that there is a delay in completing the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?
The document is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the purchase. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when requested.
The Developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it.
The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
I require the services of a Vida Homeloans panel solicitor in Belfast. Can you assist?
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 purchasing a semi-detached house and getting a mortgage with Vida Homeloans. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Vida Homeloans 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 Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel in your location.
Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Vida Homeloans. Solicitors have been instructed? How long does it take for Vida Homeloans to send the offer to our conveyancer
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Vida Homeloans done the valuation? Have you advised Vida Homeloans as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through
I have not been happy with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
Complaining to Vida Homeloans about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is addressed by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having made sure that they are on the Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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Having read lots 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 Vida Homeloans conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Vida Homeloans will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Vida Homeloans 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.
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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 Vida Homeloans you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
