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approved by AUB
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the AUB list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Ahli United Bank (UK) plc Conveyancing Panel
Ahli United Bank Solicitor Panel Recently Asked Questions
What is the rationale as to why all solicitors aren't included on the Ahli United Bank Conveyancing panel?
Lenders point to the fact that solicitor-led fraud is thought to be responsible for millions of pounds of fraud every year. The removal of law firms off of lender panels started with the rise in mortgage fraud, which prompted a thematic review by the Financial Services Authority in 2011. Its outcome included recommendations for lenders to review their conveyancing panels, which kicked off a major policy change in the sector. It led to banks and building societies purging less reputable firms off their books
We are getting closer to an exchange and my parents having transferred the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender Ahli United Bank. Apparently, being on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Ahli United Bank if the balance of the mortgage advance is not just from me. I advised the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Ahli United Bank to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Ahli United Bank if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
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.
Please explain the implications if my solicitor is suspended from the Ahli United Bank Solicitor panel prior to the completion date?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
I currently have a mortgage with with Ahli United Bank. Conveyancing was finalised months ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Ahli United Bank?
You must advise Ahli United Bank prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Ahli United Bank’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Ahli United Bank directly. You need not do this via a Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel solicitor.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having made sure that they are on the Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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Having digested plenty of mortgage guides,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 Ahli United Bank conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Ahli United Bank will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Ahli United Bank 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 Ahli United Bank you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
Ahli United Bank have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Ahli United Bank or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Ahli United Bank will tell you what documents they want. Ahli United Bank will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Ahli United Bank will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.