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approved by Santander
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Santander list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
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How does my firm apply to be on the Santander Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Santander Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Santander Conveyancing Panel
Q and A’s regarding the Santander Solicitor Panel
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor is not identified on the Santander Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s work?
That would more than likely be a wrong assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Santander.
I am purchasing a brand new apartment and my solicitor is telling me that she is duty bound to reveal incentives from the builder as her firm is on the Santander conveyancing panel. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to exchange and my preference is not to prolong the conveyancing. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Santander panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Santander approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Santander). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
I require the services of a Santander panel solicitor in Belfast. Can you assist?
It is not clear why you need a Santander panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Santander to find out which solicitors in Santander are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
My solicitors in Newcastle have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Santander. Is it case that being on the Santander conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Santander Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Santander directly.
Is it the case that all conveyancing solicitors on the Santander conveyancing panel overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Santander conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
I am about to exchange contracts on a purchase with a mortgage from Santander. The report from my solicitor mentions that Santander could withdraw their offer before completion. Is this right?
Banks and Building Societies such as Santander can withdraw their mortgage offer although this is unusual. should Santander withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to the reasons why. There are many potential reasons but here are 5 examples:
- Santander may amend or withdraw an offer if the Santander conveyancing panel solicitor is unable to confirm compliance with any of the conditions of the mortgage offer or if any of the terms of the mortgage offer cannot be satisfied
- If the financial circumstances of the borrower have changed to the detriment and the Santander has been notified
- If the borrower informs Santander of a change in the loan amount agreed
- If the lender reasonably suspects that the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor is involved in any criminal or fraudulent activity, including trading in illegal drugs or other substances, theft, robbery, deception or other serious offences, or if the applicant borrower, mortgagor or guarantor has a conviction for any serious criminal offence, including theft, deception, fraud, robbery or trade in illegal drugs or other substances;
- If the solicitor on the Santander conveyancing panel acting for the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor cannot comply with Santander ‘s instructions
I'm at the point of looking at apartments and am about to put in an offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I will be getting a home loan with Santander
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the estate agent. As you are getting a mortgage with Santander , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the Santander conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
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