Birmingham Bank Conveyancing Panel Information

Section 16.2.1 of Part 1 of the Handbook applicable to a solicitor on the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel reads ‘Our mortgage secures further advances. Consequently, when a further advance is required for alterations or improvements to the property we will not normally instruct a member of our conveyancing panel but if you are instructed the appropriate provisions of this Handbook will apply’.

The majority of lenders do not operate a specific buy to let conveyancing panel but we are hearing about a few that do. We do not know what the position is with Birmingham Bank as at todays date. If you're about to receive instructions from a client on a buy to let purchase with a mortgage from Birmingham Bank we suggest that you call Birmingham Bank to check the position.

During 2013, 0 sections of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook P2 were changed by Birmingham Bank. Some changes are more important than others but as a firm on the Birmingham Bank conveyancing panel you are of course obliged to comply with individual lender requirements, as set out in Part II of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. Locktons have recently pointed out in an article that non-compliance with Part 2 requirements account for a number of high value claims, and it is therefore important to be aware of any particularly onerous terms that an individual lender may impose.

Remember: CML requirements are not guidelines; they are the lender client’s instructions.

The key here is the caveat ‘more onerous’. You have to try and take an objective view as to whether the Terms relating to the Birmingham Bank conveyancing appointment (or other terms for other lenders) are ‘more onerous’ than the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Conditions. Depending on the Terms you may need to provide details on your renewal form. If you are in any doubt please call your broker to discuss before moving forward on this question.

CQS accreditation is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a prerequisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of firms. A number of mortgage companies now use CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as Santander.

You need to contact Birmingham Bank to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook incorporates a specific question for lenders to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents. Birmingham Bank in their Part 2’s state: Don’t forget to disclose your Birmingham Bank solicitors panel number.