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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
For what reasons could a firm of solicitors be removed from the National Westminster Bank approved conveyancing panel?
According to a recent survey report by the solicitors regulator three quarters of law firms had been removed from a lender panel. The top reasons in order are :
- Low volume of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by National Westminster Bank
We are nearing an exchange and my mum and dad having transferred the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender National Westminster Bank. Apparently, being on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform National Westminster Bank if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I disclosed to the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the mortgage so is it really necessary for this now to be an issue?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with National Westminster Bank to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to National Westminster Bank if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by National Westminster Bank?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from National Westminster Bank directly.
What happens if my solicitor is removed from the National Westminster Bank Conveyancing panel in advance of completion?
First, 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 for a fee.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. National Westminster Bank have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with National Westminster Bank your lawyer must to check the National Westminster Bank conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for National Westminster Bank . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to National Westminster Bank 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.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having checked that they are on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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I've read lots of house buying,I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
National Westminster Bank will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually National Westminster Bank will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey.
You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
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Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with National Westminster Bank you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
Sometime soon me and my wife are buying a penthouse in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon need to begiven the go-ahead. My friendrecommended that we enquire that the conveyancer in Hendon is on the National Westminster Bank solicitors panel. Surely I don't need to do this, do I?
Not all Hendon conveyancing practices are on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. Use the above search tool to search for a Hendon conveyancing lawyer on the on the National Westminster Bank list of approved conveyancing firms.