Whistletree Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and professional indemnity insures. It is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This system assists the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their instructions, with automatic updates on Whistletree’s changes. Notwithstanding that using the software is not a condition for being on the Whistletree panel, demonstrating you can stay up to date with Whistletree’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your panel standing.

COMPLETIONmonitor creates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, results in reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Whistletree

Mortgage companies frequently vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Whistletree 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, Whistletree has made 8 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 341.2 days. In total, 2% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Whistletree have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
10.7 28/04/2017 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
In the event of a delayed completion, when and how is advance to be returned to Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) by the conveyancing panel?
1.11a 28/04/2017 CML
General Mortgage Instructions
Contact details at Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) for approved lawyers to obtain mortgage documentation
14.2.1 28/04/2017 CML
Post Completion Conveyancing
Where should approved lawyersfor Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) send the title deeds and documents following completion?
6.7.1 09/02/2017 CML
New Build Conveyancing
Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) panel conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes

Last update 13/11/2019

Common questions asked concerning the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I instructed a law firm to carry out on my house purchase 5 weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Whistletree. The solicitors assured me that they are on Whistletree conveyancing panel and gave me their panel reference. Whistletree then told me that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What happens next? Do I instruct a different law firm currently on the conveyancing panel for Whistletree?
You may be very frustrated with the lawyer but if it only go take a few more days they it may be worth waiting as, depending on how far progressed you are you may end up delaying the transaction by a number of weeks if you need to replace your solicitor You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Whistletree as to how long they think it will take to get the firm to get back on the panel.
Our conveyancer has identified a legal deficiency with the lease for the apartment we are purchasing. The seller’s lawyers have suggested title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will cover the costs. Our solicitor says that as he is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Whistletree?
Just because you have a mortgage offer from Whistletree does not mean to say that the property will be meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the CML Handbook Requirements. You and Whistletree are the client. These conveyancing instructions have to be complied with by the Whistletree conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and Whistletree
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Whistletree?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Whistletree directly.
I am buying a terraced house and getting a mortgage with Whistletree. 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 Whistletree 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 Whistletree conveyancing panel in your location.
Can you point me to a directory of Whistletree panel conveyancers on the Building Society Association’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
Is it the case that all conveyancing solicitors on the Whistletree conveyancing panel work on a no move no charge basis?
On the whole there are no requirements by lenders for their firms to operate on a no-sale-no-fee basis. There a small number of lenders who operate a very restricted conveyancing panel managed by a third party company (often termed in the industry as a ‘gatekeeper’). That third party may impose certain conditions such as non-sale-no fee on the panel firms. If you require this as a condition of your conveyancing then you should check with the conveyancing firm that this is part of their package
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having checked that they are on the Whistletree 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 Whistletree conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Whistletree will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Whistletree 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 Whistletree you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.