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approved by Cumberland BS

Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Cumberland BS list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.

Find an Approved Solicitor on the Cumberland Building Society Conveyancing Panel

Cumberland Building Society Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers

On what basis would a firm of solicitors be removed from the Cumberland Building Society solicitor panel?
According to a recent survey report by the solicitors regulator three quarters of solicitor practices had been removed from a lender panel. The top reasons in order are :
  1. Low volume of transactions
  2. the lawyer is a sole practitioner
  3. as part of the HSBC panel reduction
  4. regulatory contact by SRA
  5. accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by Cumberland Building Society
I am purchasing a newly constructed flat and my solicitor is informing me that she has to disclose incentives from the builder as her practice is on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange and I have no desire to prolong the conveyancing. is my lawyer taking the correct approach?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Cumberland Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Cumberland Building Society). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Do all the firms listed on your search have online case tracking as I was under the impression that this was a precondition of being on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders or BSA do not require online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
I am buying a new build flat and getting a mortgage with Cumberland Building Society. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel in your location.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Cumberland Building Society. 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 have 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 Cumberland Building Society you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel.
Can I register a complaint to Cumberland Building Society about the lawyers being on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Cumberland Building Society. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.

The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.

If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.

I was told four weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Cumberland Building Society. Is it usual for Cumberland Building Society to only issue the offer once my solicitor is approved on their conveyancing panel?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Cumberland Building Society to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Cumberland Building Society conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.