Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
Pepper Money (UK) Solicitor Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Is it possible that
Pepper Money (UK)
will select another solicitor on the
Pepper Money (UK)
conveyancing panel for a further advance during the lifetime of a mortgage?
Paragraph 16.2.1 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook applicable to a solicitor on the
Pepper Money (UK)
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’.
Are the CML planning on creating a searchable register search tool with a view
to list firms on the
Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any intention on the part of the CML to develop such a register.
It is possible that Pepper Money (UK) could request or audit my files as I am on the
Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel. How should I respond in the event of such a demand?
We can't comment specifically on
Pepper Money (UK). Many major lenders are now introducing ‘file auditing’ as standard practice in relation to completed matters. This raises questions of confidentiality in relation to the buyer client and the purpose to which the results of such audits will be put. The starting point is to remember that the file does not belong to your firm, it belongs to the ‘client’. But, of course, we will normally have two clients – the buyer and the lender - and you will owe a duty of confidentiality to each. So basically, you have to separate the file and just send the lender the parts solely relating to themselves. But, of course, as this will basically be correspondence with the lender, mortgage instructions etc.
Check with your COLP but a firm should not send the complete conveyancing file without the buyer client’s express consent – and if he is in arrears with the lender she is hardly likely to agree. However, if the lender can establish a prima facie case of fraud, then you may be under an obligation to disclose the whole file.
The emerging convention is that lenders are including an authority to disclose in loan application forms to counter this problem. Mortgage Express v Sawali, [2010] EWHC 3054 (Ch) indicates that such provisions are valid. Please click here for more information about that case.
Are there conditions,outside the CML Part 2 requirements, that a firm should be aware of when on the Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel?
In order to be on the Pepper Money (UK) 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 Pepper Money (UK)) are as follows:
- To forward the title deeds and documents to another solicitor/conveyancer within 24 hours of an instruction from us requiring you to do so. On forwarding the deeds as instructed you will confirm to us that you have done so. Upon receipt of your confirmation, we will release you from all undertakings relating to your holding the title deeds.
- 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 notify us in writing of any change in your details as held on our records for example, change of address, telephone number, document exchange number email address. Notification must be given to us at least 10 days before the change will be effective.
- 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.
- If you are a sole practitioner, to arrange for appropriate locum cover from our panel where necessary. Your locum must be a member of the Conveyancing panel.
My post-completion clerk 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
Pepper Money (UK) once the charge is registered before my firm runs the risk of being suspended off the conveyancing panel for Pepper Money (UK)?
Pepper Money (UK) 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
Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel.
Does CQS membership secure my firm’s acceptance on to lenders conveyancing panels?
CQS accreditation gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a prerequisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of firms. Some Lenders now use CQS as the starting point for Panel acceptance such as Astra Mortgages.
I am on the
Pepper Money (UK)
conveyancing panel and due 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 Pepper Money (UK) to get a duplicate Deed?
You should communicate with Pepper Money (UK)
to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook has an express inquiry for lenders to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Please remember to disclose the firm’s Pepper Money (UK) conveyancing panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Pepper Money (UK) Conveyancing Panel
powered by LenderPanel
Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Pepper Money (UK)
This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.
| Year | Days* |
|---|---|
| 2026 | [no data] |
| 2025 | [no data] |
| 2024 | [no data] |
| 2023 | [no data] |
| 2022 | [no data] |
| 2021 | [no data] |
* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor
Other related topics:
- CQS policy templates and procedures for accredited Pepper Money (UK) Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Pepper Money (UK) borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Pepper Money (UK) panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Pepper Money (UK) lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Pepper Money (UK)
- Consent-to-Let help for Pepper Money (UK)
- Contractor Mortgages with Pepper Money (UK)
