Rooftop Mortgages Conveyancing Panel Information

Paragraph 16.2.1 of Part 1 of the Handbook applicable to a solicitor on the Rooftop Mortgages 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’.

The CML Part II requirements of Rooftop Mortgages are silent on this. Most lenders address the question of file retention via their Terms and Conditions where they generally provide that for evidential purposes, the firm must keep the file for at least of 6 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 Rooftop Mortgages’s interest. To be absolutely sure of Rooftop Mortgages requirements in this regard please check the Terms and Conditions of Rooftop Mortgages’s conveyancing panel membership.

One might ordinarily expect Rooftop Mortgages via their Part Two conditions to address this but the Handbook makes no mention on deadlines to send deeds. Do look at the Terms of Rooftop Mortgages’s Conveyancing Panel Appointment that you are bound by. For many lender's these Terms have a clause along the following lines: ‘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’ It is imperative to keep Rooftop Mortgages updated. Law firms can often compound their problems by not communicating with the lender when there is a delay or problem.

With mortgage companies and conveyancers working so closely together it is surprising that there has not been much call for the introduction of a bit of transparency regarding not just the figures for the Rooftop Mortgages conveyancing panel but for all mortgage panel listings

In the circumstances please explain on the application what steps you have taken to discover the reasons behind cancellation of your Rooftop Mortgages 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 advising you as to their reasons?

You should get in touch with Rooftop Mortgages to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook contains a specific question for banks to reveal who to contact to obtain standard documents. Rooftop Mortgages in their Part 2’s state: Always remember to quote your Rooftop Mortgages solicitors panel number.