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approved by Natwest Bank
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Natwest Bank 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 National Westminster Bank plc Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the National Westminster Bank plc Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the National Westminster Bank plc Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the National Westminster Bank Solicitor Panel
My husband and I are purchasing a 2 bedroom flat in Newcastle with a mortgage from National Westminster Bank. We have a solicitor but National Westminster Bank says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the National Westminster Bank 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?
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 National Westminster Bank 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 National Westminster Bank
My conveyancer has discovered a difference when comparing the information in National Westminster Bank’s valuation report and what is revealed within the title deeds. My lawyer informs me that as he is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel he needs to check that the lender is OK with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my conveyancer’s stance appropriate?
A precondition to being on the National Westminster Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on National Westminster Bank) 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.
I am planning to acquire a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in who is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing. Can you recommend a local conveyancing firm?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for National Westminster Bank . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
I am selling my house. Does my solicitor have to be on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel in order to deal with redeeming my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the National Westminster Bank 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.
When it comes to lenders such as National Westminster Bank 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.
I previously instructed online solicitors located in Birmingham who are on the National Westminster Bank solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate fee of £135 for dealing with the National Westminster Bank mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by National Westminster Bank?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by National Westminster Bank but by your lawyers. Some firms on the National Westminster Bank will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
We expect to receive a DIP from National Westminster Bank 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 National Westminster Bank recommend a solicitor on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel, or is it better to go independently
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the National Westminster Bank through the process.