Certificate of title
The certificate a conveyancer gives to a lender confirming that the title is good and marketable and that the lender’s requirements have been met. It is the document on which the lender releases funds, and giving it triggers the conveyancer’s liability to the lender.
- Jurisdiction
- England & Wales
- Lenders covered
- 8
- Handbook
- UK Finance · Part 1 & 2
Part 2 of the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders' Handbook is amended by lenders without notice. Check the current version before relying on any requirement described here.
What has to be in place
What it certifies
The certificate confirms that the title is good and marketable and that the lender’s instructions have been complied with. It is a representation to the lender, and the firm is liable to the lender on it.
Timing
It is submitted so that funds can be drawn for completion, which means every requirement it certifies must already be satisfied. It is not a document to send while something is still outstanding.
Disclosure
Anything the lender would want to know that does not fit the certificate’s wording has to be reported and the lender’s response obtained. A missed disclosure is a breach of duty, not an administrative oversight.
Part 1 and Part 2 together
Part 1 of the Handbook is common to lenders; Part 2 is that lender’s own requirements and overrides. Certifying against Part 1 alone is certifying against the wrong instructions.
Certificate of title for 8 lenders
Each page below covers the same subject for one lender, and says which Part 2 question holds that lender’s own answer.
Acting on lender instructions
LenderPanel maintains the directory borrowers search when choosing a conveyancer. Panel membership decides whether a firm can act at all.
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