Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
Hodge Solicitor Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Is it the case that the Law Society has recommended that firms check their status on the
Hodge conveyancing panel?
The Scottish Law Society has suggested that solicitors should check their lender panel status before accepting client instructions to act. The advice is lender-agnostic as it does not relate specifically to solicitors on the
Hodge conveyancing panel. The suggestion arises from the practice of a number of mortgage lenders who remove solicitors from their panels without prior notice as part of their panel management system, which can lead to some solicitors discovering this only once instructed. This is sensible advice as a client finding out midway through a transaction that their lawyer is not on the approved lender panel is very frustrating and can lead to complaints. Many online consumer forums contain posts where someone is complaining about finding that their lawyer is not on a lender conveyancing panel. Such forums include mumsnet.com
My client is looking to purchase a detached house for £700,000 in Bristol with a mortgage over GBP 450,000.
I am on the
Hodge conveyancing panel but do Hodge have a separate approved panel when the advance is above 400,000?
Lexsure only know of two or three lenders that operate a distinct conveyancing panel where the mortgage advance is over a certain level.
You should nevertheless check directly with
Hodge. 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 Hodge
Being on the Hodge conveyancing panel how long am I obliged to archive the original conveyancing file?
The Council of Mortgage Lender requirements of
Hodge are silent on this. Most mortgage companies address the issue of file retention via their Terms of panel appointment where they generally provide that for evidential purposes, the firm must keep the file for a minimum six years from the date of the mortgage. Data imagining is normally
suitable compliance with this requirement. Many lenders point out in
that it is the practice of some fraudsters to demand the conveyancing
file on completion in order to destroy evidence that may later be
used against them. It is therefore important to retain these
documents to protect Hodge’s interest. To be
absolutely sure of Hodge requirements in this regard
please check the Terms and Conditions of Hodge’s
conveyancing panel membership.
Do banks such as
Hodge run an independent conveyancing panel for buy to let mortgages?
Most 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
Hodge as at todays date. If you're about to receive instructions from a client on a buy to let purchase with a mortgage from
Hodge we suggest that you call
Hodge to check the position.
In conducting leasehold conveyancing do
Hodge conveyancing panel lawyers have to examine whether there is an absentee landlord?
On the basis that your firm in is on the
Hodge conveyancing panel and you are representing 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
Hodge are to lend, they may require indemnity insurance. In any event,you will need to check
Hodge’s specific requirements. Notwithstanding whether
Hodge will lend in such circumstances you still need to advise the borrower (unless you are acting for
Hodge alone) as to the risks of buying a property with an insolvent or absentee landlord.
Our firm had their Hodge panel membership terminated but we have not yet been given an explanation yet.
I am completing a CQS renewal form what information must I put forward?
In this situation please explain on the application what steps you have taken to find out the reasons behind cancellation of your
Hodge panel membership.
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
Hodge
conveyancing panel and scheduled to complete a remortgage within the next few weeks. I dont have a Mortgage Deed for the client to sign.
Who do I contact at Hodge to get a duplicate Deed?
You need to contact Hodge
to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook incorporates an express section for lenders to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Hodge in their Part 2’s state:
Don’t forget to disclose the firm’s Hodge conveyancing panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Hodge Conveyancing Panel
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Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Hodge
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 Hodge Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Hodge borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Hodge panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Hodge lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Hodge
- Consent-to-Let help for Hodge
- Contractor Mortgages with Hodge
