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approved by Habito
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Habito list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
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How does my firm apply to be on the Habito Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Habito Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Habito Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the Habito Conveyancing Panel
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not on the Habito Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the standard of the firm’s work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows: (1) lack 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. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Habito.
I am due to complete my purchase next Monday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as as he informs me that he is duty bound to validate that it is in order for Habito. What risks do Habito expect the insurance to cover?
All property lawyers on the Habito conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in Habito’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on Habito). Being on the Habito conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these instructions.
I need to find a Habito panel solicitor in Belfast. Could you help me?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Habito panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Habito to find out which solicitors in Habito are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my solicitor is removed from the Habito Solicitor panel in advance of completion?
First, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Habito do lawyers have to be pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
Is it the case that all solicitors on the Habito conveyancing panel overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Habito conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
The mortgage over my property is with Habito. Conveyancing has been completed months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Habito?
Your original mortgage agreement with Habito will provide that you need their approval in advance of renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Habito’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Habito will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Habito directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Habito conveyancing panel solicitor.
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Transfer of Equity for HabitoPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors