Virgin Solicitor Panel Sample Enquires to our Call Center from members of the public
I have been advised by my broker that I have to pay Virgin fees if I use my own solicitor. How efficient are the Virgin conveyancing panel solicitors? I'm happy to use any solicitor in the country TBH provided that they are good and reasonably priced. Would you recommend a specific law firm on the Virgin panel?
Virgin’s conveyancing panel is substantial so it would be advisable to check with the firms you are getting quotes from that they are on the panel. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Virgin will allow to act for them.
Our son is buying a house that has just been built with a home loan from Virgin. His lawyer has advised him of a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. Who needs to receive the form?
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 Virgin conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer when asked.
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 Virgin conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
I see that you have a search directory identifying firms on the Virgin conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for my own conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Virgin conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
Please explain the implications if my solicitor is removed from the Virgin Solicitor panel prior to the completion date?
The first thing to point out is that, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
I'm in the process of viewing houses and now considering a potential offer. Should I already have a conveyancer appointed at this stage? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Virgin
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the EA. As you are getting a mortgage with Virgin , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Virgin conveyancing panel.
The mortgage over my property is with Virgin. Conveyancing has been completed a year ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Virgin?
Virgin must be informed of your intention prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Virgin’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Virgin 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 Virgin directly. You need not do this via a Virgin conveyancing panel firm.
It is not clear whether my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called Virgin on various occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Virgin 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
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for Virgin. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Virgin 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 Virgin to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.