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First Direct Conveyancing Panel Recently Asked Questions

My fiance and I are buying a 3 bedroom apartment in Hackney with a mortgage from First Direct. We would like to retain our lawyer but First Direct says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the First Direct panel solicitors or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the First Direct 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. A further alternative is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for First Direct
My fiance and I intend to remortgage our penthouse with First Direct. We have a son 19 who lives with us. The solicitor on the First Direct conveyancing panel requested us to identify anyone over the age of 17 other than ourselves who lives in the flat. Our lawyer has now e-mailed a document for our son to sign, waiving any legal rights in the event that the property is forfeited by the lender. I have two questions (1) Is this form unique to the First Direct conveyancing panel as he never had to sign this form when we purchased 3 years ago (2) In signing this form is our son in any way compromising his right to inherit the property?
On the face of it your lawyer has done nothing wrong as it is established procedure for any occupier who is aged 17 or over to sign the necessary Consent Form, which is purely to state that any rights he has in the property are postponed and secondary to First Direct .This is solely used to protect the First Direct if the property were re-possessed so that in such circumstances, your son would be legally obliged to leave.

It does not impact your son’s right to inherit the apartment. Please note that if your son were to inherit and the mortgage in favour of First Direct had not been discharged, he would be liable to take over the loan or pay it off, but other than that, there is nothing stopping him from keeping the property in accordance with your will or the rules of intestacy.

Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your search have online case tracking as I was under the impression that this was a precondition of being on the First Direct solicitor 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 was supposed to complete on my dream home two days ago. My lawyer’s firm is on the First Direct solicitors panel but has changed address in the past couple of months and had not advised First Direct of their new address. First Direct has locked down the release of mortgage funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local First Direct branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the First Direct conveyancing panel?
A selection of lenders now use CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels.
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 First Direct be concerned
As you are obtaining a mortgage with First Direct your lawyer must to check the First Direct conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for First Direct . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to First Direct 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.
I am selling my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in month 2010 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's lender, First Direct are being a right pain. The solicitor who is on the First Direct conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but First Direct are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do First Direct have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that First Direct have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why First Direct 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.