Find a Law Firm
approved by Mortgage Express
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Mortgage Express list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Mortgage Express Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Mortgage Express Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Mortgage Express Conveyancing Panel
Mortgage Express (No 2) Solicitor Panel Example Support Desk Enquires
My Conveyancer is not listed on the Mortgage Express (No 2) Conveyancing Panel. Can I still retain my preferred solicitor even though they are excluded from the Mortgage Express (No 2) panel?
You will need to have a conveyancer complete the legal work required when you take out a Mortgage Express (No 2) mortgage to buy your property. They’ll carry out all the necessary legal checks on the property, make sure that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is in place. You can instruct a conveyancing firm of your choice. However, if the firm selected is not a member of the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel additional costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be required by Mortgage Express (No 2). Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not previously applied for membership they can do so.
My conveyancer has uncovered a difference when comparing the assumptions in Mortgage Express (No 2)’s valuation report and what is in the legal papers for the property. My solicitor says that as he is on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel he needs to check that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my lawyer’s course or action right?
A precondition to being on the Mortgage Express (No 2) approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Mortgage Express (No 2)) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
Is it necessary during the course of the conveyancing process to pop into the offices of the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel solicitor to execute the mortgage deed? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Leeds
so that I can attend their offices if required.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for Mortgage Express (No 2) undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
I am selling my house. Does my solicitor have to be on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel in order to deal with redeeming my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
Can you point me to a directory of Mortgage Express (No 2) panel solicitors on the Building Society Association’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Mortgage Express (No 2). Conveyancing is new to me. 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 Mortgage Express (No 2) you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel.
I had an offer accepted on a house on the 17th February 2014, valuation was booked 2 days after, received a clean bill of health. Solicitor instructed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Mortgage Express (No 2) and chasing them on my offer I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel. Are Mortgage Express (No 2) entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Mortgage Express (No 2) to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Mortgage Express (No 2) conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.