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How does my firm apply to be on the Ahli United Bank (UK) plc Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Ahli United Bank (UK) plc Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Ahli United Bank (UK) plc Conveyancing Panel
Ahli United Bank Solicitor Panel Example Support Desk Enquires
I am progressing with the sale of my maisonette and the EA has just e-mailed to advise that the purchasers are changing their property lawyer. The excuse is that Ahli United Bank will only deal with solicitors on their approved list. Why would a major mortgage company only work with specific solicitors?
Banks have always had panels of law firms they are willing to work with, but in the past few years big names such as Lloyds Banking Group, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for more than 15 years.
Banks point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been tightened and a smaller panel should be easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels, or have other concerns about them. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyer’s case. Your purchasers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.
I am purchasing a newly built duplex and my solicitor is telling me that she is duty bound to reveal incentives from the developer as her firm is on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to exchange and I would rather not prolong matters. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the Ahli United Bank panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Ahli United Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Ahli United Bank). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Ahli United Bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Ahli United Bank solicitor panel.
I am mortgaging my flat does my lawyer have to be on the Ahli United Bank Solicitor panel?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel, but Ahli United Bank would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same transaction.
Do the majority of lenders 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 Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel requirements are different to Ahli United Bank’s conveyancing panel requirements.
Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Ahli United Bank. Solicitors have been instructed? How long does it take for Ahli United Bank to send the offer to our conveyancer
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Ahli United Bank completed the survey? Have you advised Ahli United Bank as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through
We expect to receive a DIP from Ahli United Bank this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Ahli United Bank recommend a solicitor on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Ahli United Bank through the process.
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