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approved by Family BS
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Family BS 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 Family Building Society Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Family Building Society Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Family Building Society Conveyancing Panel
Examples of recent questions relating to the Family Building Society Conveyancing Panel
I instructed a firm of solicitors to carry out on my house purchase three weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Family Building Society. The solicitors assured me that they are on Family Building Society conveyancing panel and provided me their panel reference. Family Building Society then ,via my broker advised that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What do I do from here? Do I instruct a different law firm currently on the approved panel for Family Building Society?
The answer depends on whether you still have confidence in the said solicitors and how long it will take for the firm to be reinstated on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Family Building Society as to how long they think it will take to get the firm to get back on the panel.
My conveyancer has identified a discrepancy when comparing the surveyor’s assumptions in Family Building Society’s valuation survey and what is revealed within the legal papers for the property. My lawyer has advised that as he is on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is OK with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my lawyer’s approach appropriate?
A precondition to being on the Family Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Family Building Society) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Do I have to attend the offices of the Family Building Society conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Newcastle
so that I can attend their offices when needed.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for Family Building Society undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
I am considering applying for a Family Building Society mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) with 60% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Family Building Society?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor but Family Building Society will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Family Building Society have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that your lender is Family Building Society your lawyer must to check the Family Building Society conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Family Building Society . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Family Building Society where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
I have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a conveyancer previously used by my brother and he recommended retaining a law firm approved by Family Building Society. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Family Building Society if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Family Building Society pointed out that either practice can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Family Building Society 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of Family Building Society to suggest a law firm in your location. Lenders have them all over the country. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Family Building Society conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Family Building Society’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having made sure that they are on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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I've digested plenty of house buying,I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Family Building Society conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Family Building Society will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Family Building Society will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey.
You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
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Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Family Building Society you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.