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approved by HodgeLife
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the HodgeLife 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 Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the Hodge Life Solicitor Panel
For what reasons would a firm of solicitors be excluded from the Hodge Life 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 Hodge Life
My solicitor has uncovered a discrepancy when comparing the information in Hodge Life’s home valuation report and what is in the conveyancing documents. My lawyer says that as he is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel he needs to ensure that the lender is OK with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my lawyer’s stance right?
A precondition to being on the Hodge Life approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hodge Life) 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.
I see that you have a post code search directory listing solicitors on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a referral fee if I instruct them for my own house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I was expecting to complete on my flat last Thursday. My solicitor is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel but has changed address in the past couple of months and had not informed Hodge Life of their new address. Hodge Life is now refusing to release my funds as the information from the solicitors isn't correct.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Hodge Life branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Hodge Life. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Hodge Life you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel.
Planning on purchasing a flat with a mortgage with Hodge Life. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel
I have instructed a lawyer having made sure that they are on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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I've read lots of mortgage guides,I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Hodge Life will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Hodge Life 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 Hodge Life you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
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Transfer of Equity for Hodge LifePlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors