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Chelsea Building Society Solicitor Panel: Recently Asked Questions
What obligations do I have,
being on the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel, to carry out a Lawyer Checker Search, an HS2 search?
Chelsea Building Society make no specific obligation to carry out any of
the searches listed. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook simply states that ‘you must
ensure that any other searches which may be appropriate to the
particular property, taking into account its locality and other
features are carried out’.
Remember that most ‘less usual searches’ (as described in the Law Society’s Conveyancing Handbook) are not optional as far as Chelsea Building Society are concerned if they are ‘appropriate’. Most lenders will not require environmental searches (you should Check Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook to be sure), but you are obliged to explain risks and availability to the client.
Ground stability, Plansearch,flood searches as well as the searches listed in the question are optional – but only to the extent that you have allowed the borrower client to make an informed choice. Regardless of whether there is a mortgage, If you have not advised the client that these (and other) searches are available and what risks they cover, then you will be liable if the client suffers loss through not conducting one. Does your ROT and Ts and Cs cover this?
One search provider lists over 70 conveyancing searches – do you know what all of them are and when they may be relevant? If you are unsure as to which searches are appropriate based on location contact your search provider or call one of the leading search companies such as Searches UK.
Why are Estate Agents using search tools to check if lawyers are on a lenders conveyancing panel?
The fact of the matter is that estate agents are feeling the pain if their clients start out on the conveyancing process using a solicitor 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 lawyers.
I noticed the following question on my PI renewal form this year ‘Has your Firm been asked by a lender to agree to more onerous terms and conditions than provided for in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook?’ My firm is on a number of lender panels including the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel. We have Terms and Conditions of appointment which we have to follow. Should I reference these Conditions ?
The concern here is if you are expect to enter into ‘more onerous’ conditions that than the Handbook obligations.
You have to try and take an objective view as to whether the Terms relating to the
Chelsea Building Society 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.
I have been a qualified solicitor for approximately 30 years never having had a negligence claim and have been refused acceptance on the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel with no explanation. Am I not entitled to a reason?
For most lenders participation on the lender's panel of conveyancers is at the absolute discretion of the the lender. Many lenders reserve the right to accept or reject any application without giving any reason. You should check your original application to join the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel to see if you are entitled to a reason.
Are figures published disclosing the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel size as well as the number of conveyancing firms dismissed each quarter?
With mortgage companies and property lawyers working so closely together it is surprising that there has not been greater demand for the introduction of a bit of transparency regarding not just the figures for the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel but for all lender panels
JLT’s PII renewal form asks if my firm had been excluded from any bank panels in the last year.
I recently found out that the firm is no longer on the
Chelsea Building Society conveyancing panel? Will that impact my insurance?
The best placed professionals to answer this question are your insurance brokers.
The chances are that on the basis that you have not been removed for
fraud or negligence reasons that there will be little or no
impact. The main reason why a firm would be removed off of a lender
panel is due to low volume of conveyancing cases although there may be
a number of criteria for Chelsea Building Society solicitor panel
membership. Please remember that it is always important that you
complete your insurance forms accurately.
I am on the
Chelsea Building Society
conveyancing panel and all set to complete a purchase within the next week. I can not locate a Legal Charge for the client to sign.
Who do I contact at Chelsea Building Society to obtain duplicate documents?
You should communicate with Chelsea Building Society
to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook has an explicit inquiry for lenders to cite who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Chelsea Building Society in their Part 2’s state:
Always remember to disclose the firm’s Chelsea Building Society solicitors panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Chelsea Building Society Conveyancing Panel
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Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Chelsea Building Society
This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.
| Year | Days* |
|---|---|
| 2025 | [no data] |
| 2024 | [no data] |
| 2023 | [no data] |
| 2022 | [no data] |
| 2021 | [no data] |
| 2020 | [no data] |
* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor
Other related topics:
- CQS policy templates and procedures for accredited Chelsea Building Society Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Chelsea Building Society borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Chelsea Building Society panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Chelsea Building Society lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Chelsea Building Society
- Consent-to-Let help for Chelsea Building Society
- Contractor Mortgages with Chelsea Building Society
