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approved by Aviva Equity Release

If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.

Due to Money Laundering Regulations your conveyancing lawyer is duty bound to confirm positively your identification when entering into a business relationship with you. It is a criminal offense if your lawyer not do this. If you do not provide ID early in the transaction the solicitor must refuse to act for you. It’s unlikely a lawyer will turn you away if you come to the first meeting without relevant ID but you will have to produce it at some point so you might as well bring it with you to the initial meeting so the lawyer can tick the ID verification box and start sorting out the conveyancing straight away. If you are getting a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy Aviva Equity Release

The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Aviva Equity Release directly.

Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them immediately so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors may be able to help

Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Aviva Equity Release your lawyer must to check the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Aviva Equity Release . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Aviva Equity Release where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

You will need a solicitor but they need not be on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. You will need a solicitor to draw up the transfer and to deal with the Land Registry formalities. The only thing you need to consider is that by selling at an undervalue so ask your lawyer about the implications. There could be an inheritance tax issue if you die within 7 years of this. As the property is your main residence you need not pay CGT but you should speak with your accountants in any event.

The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Aviva Equity Release or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Aviva Equity Release will tell you what documents they want. Aviva Equity Release 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. Aviva Equity Release 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.