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Better HomeOwnership Conveyancing Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Is there a standard appeals process to prevent solicitors from being unfairly removed them from lender conveyancing panels?
There are thousands of firms across the UK who feel aggrieved claiming that they have been removed from lenders’ panels without an explanation or a good
reason. It is highly unlikely, given that lenders have distanced
themselves from creating a standardised appeals process for
brokers, that an appeals process will be introduced for
lawyers. Commenting on the call by brokers to have a standardised
process the CML said’ “While we understand that some lenders do have
an appeals process, it would not be appropriate for a trade body such
as the CML to seek to be prescriptive about such a process.” Some
lenders do of course set out an appeals policy. The Law Society does
have information on it’s site that may be of assistance. If you would
like to talk to one of our compliance experts about our Lender Panel
Protection Service please complete the form here.
Why are Estate Agents using search tools to check if lawyers are on a lenders conveyancing panel?
Many estate agents will be suffering if their clients start out on the conveyancing process using a conveyancer who is not on the panel with the purchaser’s chosen lender. Many
conveyancing firms are only discovering when they begin working on a
case that they are no longer able to work with that lender. Given
the inevitable resultant delays in the transaction the chances of an
abortive deal increases dramatically. in the circumstances there is
understandable anguish on the part of the estate agent as a result of
the lost time should the client have to change solicitors .
An established client of mine is purchasing a detached house for £750k in Bristol requiring a mortgage advance over GBP 410k.
I am on the
Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel but do Better HomeOwnership have a separate approved panel when the advance is above 350k?
We only know of two or three banks that operate a distinct approved solicitors panel where the mortgage advance is over a certain amount.
You should nevertheless check directly with
Better HomeOwnership. At one stage HSBC would only allow Sole
practitioners to act for them where the mortgage was below
£150,000. We are not sure if HSBC still operate such a condition. In
your case it is best to check with Better HomeOwnership
I read the occasional LENDERmonitor email but I seldom see significant changes. For instance, Fortunately my practice on the
Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel and get an alerts simply telling me a change of address. Isn't that just noise?
Yes it does matter because sending a communication or deeds to the wrong address can cause delays that might not only affect your borrower client but also impact your chances of staying on the
Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel. Is possible next month that Better HomeOwnership change their requirements as to where the post completion documents should be sent.
Do you update the details in your case management system? Is this recorded anywhere? Is this communicated to the staff? In your Certificate of Title to Better HomeOwnership you are giving assurances that you will send the deeds within 10 days of receiving the TID. Leaving to one side whether you are in breach of an undertaking in sending it to the wrong address, you run the risk of
Better HomeOwnership suspending you off the panel because they are not receiving the deeds in accordance with the COT. It will not be a valid excuse to say that you sent it to an out of date postal address or DX details.
Will CQS accreditation secure my firm’s acceptance on to lenders conveyancing panels?
CQS membership gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a prerequisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels. Some mortgage companies now use the scheme as the starting point for Panel approval as is the case with HSBC.
I am on the
Better HomeOwnership
conveyancing panel and due to complete a purchase within the next week. My papers do not include a Mortgage Deed for the client to execute.
Who do I contact at Better HomeOwnership to request substitute deeds?
You need to communicate with Better HomeOwnership
to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook incorporates a specific question for banks to establish who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Better HomeOwnership in their Part 2’s state:
Please remember to quote the firm’s Better HomeOwnership solicitors panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Better HomeOwnership Conveyancing Panel
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Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Better HomeOwnership
This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.
| Year | Days* |
|---|---|
| 2026 | [no data] |
| 2025 | [no data] |
| 2024 | [no data] |
| 2023 | [no data] |
| 2022 | [no data] |
| 2021 | [no data] |
* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor
Other related topics:
- CQS policy templates and procedures for accredited Better HomeOwnership Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Better HomeOwnership borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Better HomeOwnership panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Better HomeOwnership lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Better HomeOwnership
- Consent-to-Let help for Better HomeOwnership
- Contractor Mortgages with Better HomeOwnership