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Halifax Solicitor Panel: Recently Asked Questions
I am hearing that agents are using online checkers to see if a firm is on a lender panel. Why?
The fact of the matter is that estate agents will be feeling the pain if their clients start out on the conveyancing process having appointed 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 lawyers.
Are the Council of Licensed Conveyancers taking any action to ensure that licensed conveyancers remain on lender conveyancing panels?
The CLC has initiated discussions with lenders and their representative bodies to see whether and how the risks that lenders wish to mitigate could be addressed through the regulatory framework rather than via ad hoc arrangements that can differ from lender to lender. It is likely that that the CLC have been in touch with lenders such as
Halifax in recent years.
In carrying out leasehold conveyancing do
Halifax panel solicitors have to examine whether there is a missing freeholder?
Assuming that your practice in is on the
Halifax conveyancing panel and you are acting for them in relation to a leasehold property, you must report to them if it becomes apparent that the landlord is either absent or insolvent. If
Halifax are to lend, they may require indemnity insurance. In any event,you will need to check
Halifax’s specific requirements. Notwithstanding whether
Halifax will lend in such circumstances you still need to advise the borrower (unless you are acting for
Halifax alone) as to the risks of buying a property with an insolvent or absentee landlord.
My conveyancing assistant has resigned on short notice.
I urgently need to prioritise making sure that charges are registered. That said, how quickly do I need to send deeds to
Halifax once the charge is registered before my firm runs the risk of being suspended off the conveyancing panel for Halifax?
Halifax will likely expect the deeds to be sent to them within 10 days of you receiving the TID (unless their specific P2 requirements specifically state that they you are not to send them anything). Most COTs refer to complying with the Certificate of Title referred to in IB (3.7) of the SRA Code of Conduct 2011, published by the Law Society which states that you ‘will despatch to you such deeds and documents relating to the Property as you require with a list of them in the form prescribed by you within ten working days of receipt by us of the title information document from the Land Registry’ As to whether the lender will suspend your panel status this very much varies according to the lender’s own internal policies The more cases you have the more risk you face. Some lenders may take action if there records show that the deeds are outstanding for more than 3 matters. The fact is that if you keep within the time frame then you will have more chance of remaining on the
Halifax conveyancing panel.
Are figures published regarding the
Halifax conveyancing panel size and the number of conveyancing firms dismissed each year?
With banks and conveyancers 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
Halifax conveyancing panel but for all bank panels
Our firm had their Halifax panel membership terminated but we have not yet been given a reason as to why.
I am completing a CQS renewal form what details must I put forward?
In this situation please clarify on the application what action you have taken to find out the reasons behind cancellation of your
Halifax panel status.
In particular please provide details if you have received communications from the lender. E.G. before revocation of your panel membership did you receive any letters or calls from the lender putting you on notice?
Our practice is on the
Halifax
conveyancing panel and all set to complete a purchase within the next few weeks. My papers do not include a Mortgage Deed for the client to sign.
Who do I contact at Halifax to get a duplicate Deed?
You would be advised to communicate with Halifax
to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook contains an individual inquiry for banks to establish who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Halifax in their Part 2’s state:
Always remember to quote your Halifax conveyancing panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Halifax Conveyancing Panel
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Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Halifax
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 Halifax Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Halifax borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Halifax panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Halifax lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Halifax
- Consent-to-Let help for Halifax
- Contractor Mortgages with Halifax
