Whistletree Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This software facilitates the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their instructions, with alerts on Whistletree’s changes. While using the tool is not a condition for acceptance on the Whistletree panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with Whistletree’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, more importantly, protect your firm’s panel standing.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces COLP and CQS reports, and will increase your firm's efficiency. In addition it is simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, results in reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Whistletree

Mortgage companies frequently change 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 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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FAQs for the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

I instructed a law firm to conveyancing on my house purchase 4 weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Whistletree. The firm confirmed to me that they are on Whistletree conveyancing panel and gave me their panel number. 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?
The answer depends on whether you still have confidence in the said solicitors and how long it will take for the firm to be reinstated on the Whistletree conveyancing panel You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Whistletree as to the time frame to get your lawyer reinstated on the panel once again.
Our lawyer has discovered a problem with the lease for the flat we are purchasing. The seller’s lawyers have put forward defective title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will cover the costs. Our lawyer 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. The appropriate lender requirements must be adhered to by the Whistletree conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and Whistletree
Do all the firms listed on your search have online case tracking as I was under the impression that this was a precondition of being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel?
No. There is no CML Part 2 or Building Society Association requirement relating to online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
My grandmother passed away 10 months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the property. The house had a relatively small loan left on it of around £5k. I want to have the title changed into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Whistletree , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this allowed?
If you intend to re-mortgage then Whistletree will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Whistletree mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Whistletree conveyancing panel?
Some major lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels.
Can you point me to a directory of Whistletree panel solicitors 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.
Completion of my purchase has taken place with a loan from Whistletree. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Whistletree. How does one go about formally complaining?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Whistletree branches or the Customer Services Team at Whistletree head office. We understand that complaints to Whistletree are resolved effectively and efficiently. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.