Whistletree Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and PI insurers. It is a unique risk management tool.

This software facilitates the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with automatic updates on Whistletree’s changes. While using this technology 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.

The system creates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also 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, 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 approved lawyer?
1.11a 28/04/2017 CML
General Mortgage Instructions
Contact details at Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) for conveyancing panel 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) approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes

Last update 17/01/2019

Frequently asked questions relating to the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

What is the rationale as to why all UK lawyers aren't included on the Whistletree Conveyancing panel?
Mortgage companies point to the fact that solicitor-led fraud is thought to be responsible for millions of pounds of fraud every year. The removal of law firms off of lender panels started with the rise in mortgage fraud, which prompted a thematic review by the Financial Services Authority in 2011. Its outcome included recommendations for lenders to review their conveyancing panels, which kicked off a major policy change in the sector. It led to banks and building societies purging less reputable firms off their books
We are nearing an exchange and my parents having transferred the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender Whistletree. Apparently, being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Whistletree if the balance of the mortgage advance is not just from me. I advised the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for this now to be an issue?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Whistletree to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Whistletree if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Do I have to visit the offices of the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will choose one who does conveyancing in Bristol so that I can attend their offices if necessary.
Whereas this was necessary ten years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Bristol .
What happens if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Whistletree Solicitor panel in advance of completion?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. 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.
Is there a list of Whistletree panel conveyancers on the CML Handbook 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.
For 5 years I had a mortgage with Whistletree. My godfather retired last week and wants to pay off my mortgage. After Whistletree is paid, I want to transfer the property to my mother's name; How long will it roughly take? Do we need two separate solicitors on the Whistletree conveyancing panel? I do not intend to live at the property once the Whistletree mortgage is discharged.
Although you do need to retain the services of a lawyer they dont need to be on the Whistletree panel. You will need a solicitor to draw up the transfer and to deal with the Land Registry formalities. The only thing you need to consider is that by selling at an undervalue so ask your lawyer about the implications. There could be an inheritance tax issue if you die within 7 years of this. As the property is your main residence you need not pay CGT but you should speak with your accountants in any event.
Sometime soon me and my wife are buying a 1st floor apartment in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are preferred to beappointed. My motheradvised that we enquire that the conveyancer in Hendon is on the Whistletree approved list of lawyers. Is this really necessary?
Far from all Hendon conveyancing firms are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. 7 people a month use our search tool to locate a Hendon conveyancing firm on the on the Whistletree solicitors pane.