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Whistletree Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Looking for information about your firm's panel status?

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How can my firm apply to be on the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel?
Check your firm’s panel Status
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How can my firm be reinstated onto the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel?
Check your firm’s panel Status

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. It is supported by PI insurers. It is a unique risk management tool.

This system optimises the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their requirements, with automatic updates on Whistletree’s changes. Notwithstanding that utilising the software is not a prerequisite for Whistletree , demonstrating you can remain up to date with Whistletree’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your firm’s panel status.

The system creates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by Whistletree

Lenders 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, frequently:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Whistletree has made 8 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the UK Finance 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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Whistletree Conveyancing Panel Recently Asked Questions from members of the public

My financial adviser has informed me that I have to pay Whistletree fees if I use my own solicitor. How good are the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitors? I dont care which law firm I use as long as they're good and not exorbitantly 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.
My conveyancer has identified a difference between the surveyor’s assumptions in Whistletree’s valuation survey and what is revealed within the title deeds. My solicitor says that as he is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel he is duty bound to check that the lender is OK with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my conveyancer’s course or action appropriate?
A precondition to being on the Whistletree approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Whistletree) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Whistletree approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Whistletree conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Whistletree solicitor panel.
I am considering applying for a Whistletree mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) with 60% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Whistletree?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on Whistletree conveyancing panel, but Whistletree 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 transaction.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Whistletree conveyancing panel?
It is true that some lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of firms.
What are the common reasons for a lender such as Whistletree to withdraw a mortgage offer?
Lenders such as Whistletree can withdraw their mortgage offer although this is unusual. should Whistletree withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to the reasons why. There are many potential reasons but here are a few examples:
  • Where information comes to Whistletree ‘s attention regarding the customers or the security that they were not aware of prior to offer that affects their original decision to lend
  • Many mortgage offers have an expiry date. Your lawyer should check this. Whistletree may amend or withdraw an offer before the end of its validation period if an offer extension is requested and following a re-evaluation of the property the value of the security is below a level which is acceptable to them.
  • A cashback to the buyer, or | part of the price includes a non-cash incentive to the buyer (eg paid stamp duty land tax),or | any indirect incentive (cash or non cash) or rental guarantee, of which the lender was previously unaware
  • Following advice from the property assessor on their lender panel or If the lender has doubts about the effectiveness of the valuation as a result of subsequent events or information received post valuation but pre completion
  • Where the sale is not at arms length for value to unconnected persons
It is not clear whether my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called Whistletree on various occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Whistletree 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 Whistletree. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Whistletree 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 Whistletree to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.