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approved by Bath BS
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Bath BS 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 Bath Building Society Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Bath Building Society Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Bath Building Society Dual Representation Solicitors
Bath Building Society does not operate a Conveyancing Panel, but does allow certain lawyers to conduct dual representation subject to meeting their criteria.
For the purposes of clarification, references on this page to "conveyancing panel" mean the ability of your lawyer represent both you and Bath Building Society in their capacity as lender.
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We are buying a 2 bedroom apartment in London with a mortgage from Bath Building Society. We like our lawyer but Bath Building Society says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the Bath Building Society panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; Can we not simply insist that Bath Building Society use our lawyer?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Bath Building Society
Our lawyer has identified a defect with the lease for the apartment we are purchasing. The other side have offered title insurance as a workaround. We are content with insurance and will cover the costs. Our solicitor says that as he is on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is happy with this solution. Who is the client here, us or Bath Building Society?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Bath Building Society are the client. A precondition to being on the Bath Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Bath Building Society). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Bath Building Society can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . 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 search directory listing solicitors on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for my conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
My solicitors in Birmingham have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Bath Building Society. Is it case that being on the Bath Building Society 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 Bath Building Society Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Bath Building Society directly.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Bath Building Society be concerned
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Bath Building Society your lawyer must to check the Bath Building Society conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Bath Building Society . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Bath Building Society where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
Completion of my purchase has taken place with a mortgage from Bath Building Society. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about Bath Building Society. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the Bath Building Society branches or the Customer Services Team at Bath Building Society head office. Ordinarily complaints to Bath Building Society are resolved effectively and efficiently. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service with full details of your complaint.
I was told two weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed
to by Bath Building Society. Is it usual for Bath Building Society to only issue the offer once my
solicitor is approved on their conveyancing panel?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Bath Building Society to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Bath Building Society conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.
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Transfer of Equity for Bath Building SocietyPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors