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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Halifax 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 Halifax Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Halifax Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Halifax Conveyancing Panel
Q and A’s regarding the Halifax Conveyancing Panel
My fiance and I are hoping to buy a 3 bedroom apartment in London with a mortgage from Halifax. We like our solicitor but Halifax says she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Halifax panel solicitors or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; Can we not simply insist that Halifax 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 Halifax 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 Halifax
I am purchasing a newly built duplex and my solicitor is informing me that she has to reveal incentives from the developer as her practice is on the Halifax conveyancing panel. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to sign contracts and my preference is not to prolong matters. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Halifax approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Halifax). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Coventry on the Halifax conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Halifax ?
We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. Before you appoint your lawyer we advise you to speak to two or three of the firms listed to gain comfort as to which one is right for you..
Please explain the implications if my solicitor is suspended from the Halifax Solicitor panel in advance of completion?
The first thing to point out is that, 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 lenders such as Halifax do solicitors have to be pay a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?
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.
We expect to receive a DIP from Halifax this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we only have online calculators to go by (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Halifax recommend a solicitor on the Halifax conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Halifax conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Halifax through the process.
Halifax have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Halifax or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Halifax will tell you what documents they want. Halifax will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Halifax will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.
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Transfer of Equity for HalifaxPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors