Harpenden Building Society Conveyancing Panel Information

The CML is an association rather than a regulator and therefore will not investigate grievances against lenders. You can of course contact Lexsure to see if we can assist.

Section 16.2.1 of Part 1 of the Handbook applicable to a solicitor on the Harpenden Building Society 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’.

In order to be on the Harpenden Building Society conveyancing panel solicitors have to complete an application form and agree Terms and Conditions. A sample of 5 conditions that we see amongst many lenders Terms (but not necessarily Harpenden Building Society) are as follows:

• To carry out our instructions with reasonable care and skill, ensuring that all employees carrying out mortgage work on our behalf are qualified and competent to do so
• Without prejudice to your obligation to comply in full with the Safeguards provisions in the CML Lenders’ Handbook, to report to us as soon as possible any suspicion that you have about the genuineness of any transaction in any respect.
• To quote on all communications with us relating to deeds/registration issues, whether by telephone or in writing, the panel number that we provide for each practising address and the mortgage account or application number for the mortgage concerned.
• You have the consent of all borrowers to apply for the deeds, before making any request for deeds. We will accept your request for deeds on the understanding that you have obtained such consent. If this is not the case then you should advise our Deeds Services Department in writing when you make your request
• To keep us informed of the reasons for any delay in your being able to send the title deeds and documents we require to us within 3 months of completion or evidence of proof of registration within that period. (We will send reminders if the deeds have not been received but will not acknowledge receipt of deeds.)

7 consumers search for a conveyancer on the Harpenden Building Society panel every 4 weeks in Hendon. Feel free to contact the Lexsure team who will tell how your firm can be listed by those searching for conveyancing in Hendon.

In the circumstances please clarify on the application what steps you have taken to find out the reasons behind cancellation of your Harpenden Building Society panel status. In particular please provide details if you have received communications from the lender. E.G. before cessation of your panel membership did you receive any letters or calls from the lender informing you as to why they reached this decision?

You should communicate with Harpenden Building Society to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook contains an explicit question for lenders to establish who to contact to obtain standard documents. Harpenden Building Society in their Part 2’s state: Please remember to disclose your Harpenden Building Society conveyancing panel reference.