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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Better list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel
Q and A’s regarding the Better HomeOwnership Solicitor Panel
I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Better HomeOwnership panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
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.
My conveyancer has uncovered an inconsistency when comparing the assumptions in Better HomeOwnership’s home valuation report and what is in the conveyancing documents. My solicitor informs me that as he is on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel he is obliged to check that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my conveyancer’s stance correct?
A precondition to being on the Better HomeOwnership approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Better HomeOwnership) 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 both parties.
I need to find a Better HomeOwnership panel solicitor in Belfast. Could you help me?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Better HomeOwnership panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Better HomeOwnership to find out which solicitors in Better HomeOwnership are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
My house is up for sale and I have a buyer. Does my solicitor have to be on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel in order to deal with redeeming my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
In what circumstances might Better HomeOwnership amend or withdraw their mortgage offer?
Banks and Building Societies such as Better HomeOwnership can revoke their mortgage offer although this is unusual. should Better HomeOwnership withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to their reasoning. There are many potential reasons but here are 5 examples:
- Where information comes to Better HomeOwnership ‘s attention regarding the customers or the security that they were not aware of prior to offer that affects their original decision to lend
- Better HomeOwnership may amend or withdraw an offer if the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel solicitor is unable to confirm compliance with any of the conditions of the mortgage offer or if any of the terms of the mortgage offer cannot be satisfied
- Many mortgage offers have an expiry date. Your lawyer should check this. Better HomeOwnership may amend or withdraw an offer before the end of its validation period if an offer extension is requested and following a re-evaluation of the property the value of the security is below a level which is acceptable to them.
- If the lender reasonably suspects that the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor is involved in any criminal or fraudulent activity, including trading in illegal drugs or other substances, theft, robbery, deception or other serious offences, or if the applicant borrower, mortgagor or guarantor has a conviction for any serious criminal offence, including theft, deception, fraud, robbery or trade in illegal drugs or other substances;
- If the solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel acting for the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor cannot comply with Better HomeOwnership ‘s instructions
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with Better HomeOwnership. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. 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 Better HomeOwnership you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel.
I am selling my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in month 2010 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's lender, Better HomeOwnership are being a right pain. The solicitor who is on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but Better HomeOwnership are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Better HomeOwnership have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Better HomeOwnership have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Better HomeOwnership may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.