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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
FAQs for the National Westminster Bank Solicitor Panel
Much to my surprise I have been told by my lender that my lawyer is not on the National Westminster Bank Solicitor panel. How can I be sure that this is correct?
The best course of action for you to take is to contact your conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a firm that is on the the approved National Westminster Bank solicitor panel.
My conveyancer has informed me that he requires proof of ID documents stating that this is part of his obligations as a solicitor on the National Westminster Bank Conveyancing panel. Can this be correct?
Due to Money Laundering Regulations your conveyancing lawyer is duty bound to confirm positively your identification when entering into a business relationship with you. It is a criminal offense if your lawyer not do this. If you do not provide ID early in the transaction the solicitor must refuse to act for you. It’s unlikely a lawyer will turn you away if you come to the first meeting without relevant ID but you will have to produce it at some point so you might as well bring it with you to the initial meeting so the lawyer can tick the ID verification box and start sorting out the conveyancing straight away. If you are getting a mortgage with National Westminster Bank your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy National Westminster Bank
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Manchester on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the National Westminster Bank approved panel?
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. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
My grandmother passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the property. The house had a small mortgage left on it of around £8000. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to National Westminster Bank , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then National Westminster Bank will insist on your using a conveyancer on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the National Westminster Bank mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
Is there a list of National Westminster Bank panel conveyancers on the CML Handbook 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.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the National Westminster Bank panel is any good?
Getting recommendations is a good start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the solicitor conducting your conveyancing
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from National Westminster Bank as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
National Westminster Bank would not normally instruct a member of their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they did require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the National Westminster Bank panel