FAQs for the Zephyr Mortgages Solicitor Panel from members of the public
I am selling my flat and the EA has just telephoned to warn that the purchasers are swapping solicitor. The reason given is that Zephyr Mortgages will only deal with solicitors on their approved list. On what basis would a big named mortgage company only deal with specific lawyers?
Lenders have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as Nationwide , have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for decades.
Lenders point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
Expecting to move into my new home next Monday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as as he informs me that he is duty bound to validate that it is in order for Zephyr Mortgages. What does the insurance need to cover?
All property lawyers on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Zephyr Mortgages’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Zephyr Mortgages). Being on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these instructions.
I am searching for online conveyancing estimates. Can I be assured that all the firms that are identified on your site are on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel?
The solicitor and licensed conveyancing practices on our directory have advised us that they are on the Zephyr Mortgages panel and agreed to advise us to take down their listing in the event of removal off of the Zephyr Mortgages 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 Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel is incorrect.
I am purchasing a terraced house and getting a mortgage with Zephyr Mortgages. Can I do my own conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Zephyr Mortgages 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 Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel in your location.
Do most banks operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel requirements are different to Zephyr Mortgages’s conveyancing panel requirements.
I have paid off my mortgage with Zephyr Mortgages. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Zephyr Mortgages panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm
If you have finished paying off your Zephyr Mortgages mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Zephyr Mortgages mortgage from the register. Zephyr Mortgages,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
but are not moving to another property
where the Zephyr Mortgages has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the Zephyr Mortgages has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Zephyr Mortgages mortgage has been paid off.
I have instructed a lawyer having checked that they are on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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Having read lots of house buying,I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Zephyr Mortgages conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Zephyr Mortgages will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Zephyr Mortgages 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.
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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 Zephyr Mortgages you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.