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Conveyancing Panel
Hodge Equity Release Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers
Is the fact that my solicitor is not on the Hodge Equity Release Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s work?
That would more than likely be a wrong assumption to make. 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 Hodge Equity Release.
My god-son is in the process of securing a new build apartment with a mortgage from Hodge Equity Release. His solicitor has said that there is a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. This document is news to me - what is it and who needs sight of it?
The document is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer when requested.
The Developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it.
The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
How up to date is your search tool for the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel? Do Hodge Equity Release send you an updated list?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Hodge Equity Release directly.
I would like to get my former partner taken off the mortgage deeds. Can Hodge Equity Release really tell me which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but Hodge Equity Release then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Hodge Equity Release solicitors panel
Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel?
A selection of banks and building societies now use CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
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 Hodge Equity Release be concerned
Given that your lender is Hodge Equity Release your lawyer must to check the Hodge Equity Release conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Hodge Equity Release . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Hodge Equity Release where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
On the whole I have been dissatisfied with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Hodge Equity Release conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
There is little point in complaining directly to Hodge Equity Release. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this 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.