Find a Law Firm
approved by Habito
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Habito list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Habito Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Habito Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Habito Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the Habito Solicitor Panel
For what reasons could a firm of solicitors be excluded from the Habito approved conveyancing panel?
According to a recent survey report by the solicitors regulator three quarters of law firms had been removed from a lender panel. The most common reasons in order are :
- Low volume of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by Habito
I am due to complete my purchase next Tuesday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in has capacity as lawyer for Habito. What risks do Habito expect the insurance to cover?
Any lawyer on the Habito conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Habito’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Habito). Being on the Habito conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these instructions.
I require the services of a Habito panel solicitor in Belfast. Can you assist?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Habito panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Habito to find out which solicitors in Habito are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
My solicitors in Birmingham have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Habito. Is it case that being on the Habito conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
Different lenders have different requirements 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 Habito Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Habito directly.
Do most banks operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the Habito conveyancing panel requirements are different to Habito’s conveyancing panel requirements.
I have today made my last payment due on mortgage with Habito. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Habito panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Habito mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Habito mortgage from the register. Habito,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
but are not moving to another property
where the Habito has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the Habito has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Habito mortgage has been paid off.
My husband and I are acquiring a terraced house in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon will soon beretained. My brother-in-lawadvised that we enquire that the conveyancing practitioner in Hendon is on the Habito panel. Surely I don't need to do this, do I?
A limited percentage of Hendon conveyancing firms are on the Habito conveyancing panel. 5 people a month use our search tool to find a Hendon conveyancing lawyer on the on the Habito solicitors pane.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for HabitoPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors