Q and A’s regarding the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
I have been advised by my broker that I have to pay Whistletree fees if I use my own solicitor. How good are the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitors? I'm happy to use any solicitor in the country TBH provided that they are good and reasonably priced. Are there any Whistletree conveyancers you'd recommend?
Whistletree’s conveyancing panel is substantial so your best bet is just to check with the firms you are getting quotes from whether they are on it. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Whistletree will allow to act for them.
Our lawyer has uncovered a legal deficiency with the lease for the flat we are purchasing. The other side have offered defective title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor has advised that as he is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel he must be satisfied that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Whistletree?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Whistletree are the client. A precondition to being on the Whistletree approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Whistletree). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Whistletree can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
I am looking for online conveyancing estimates. Can I be sure that all the practices that are listed on your directory are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel?
The solicitor and licensed conveyancing practices on our directory have advised us that they are on the Whistletree panel and agreed to advise us to take down their listing in the event of removal off of the Whistletree panel. To date we have not been informed by either a lender or a member of the public that the data about a specific firm being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel is not accurate.
I am attempting to get my ex-wife removed the mortgage deeds. Can Whistletree really insist on which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but Whistletree then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Whistletree solicitors panel
When it comes to lenders such as Whistletree do solicitors have to be pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
I had instructed online solicitors located in Manchester who are on the Whistletree solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £135 for the legal aspects of the Whistletree mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee set by Whistletree?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Whistletree but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Whistletree will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
My fiance and I are spending time viewing houses and now considering a potential offer. Is it best to have a conveyancer on ‘stand by’? I I am planning to take a home loan with Whistletree
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer 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 Whistletree , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel.