Find a Law Firm
approved by Nationwide BS

Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Nationwide BS list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.

Find an Approved Solicitor on the Nationwide Building Society Conveyancing Panel

Nationwide BS Solicitor Panel Recently Asked Questions

My property lawyer is not listed on the Nationwide BS Approved Panel. Is it possible for me to continue with my preferred solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the Nationwide Building Society panel of approved conveyancing solicitors?
You will need to have a conveyancer complete the legal work required when you take out a Nationwide BS 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 Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel additional costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be required by Nationwide BS. Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not previously applied for membership they can do so.
My conveyancer has spotted a discrepancy when comparing the information in Nationwide Building Society’s valuation report and what is revealed within the title deeds. My lawyer has advised that as he is on the Nationwide BS conveyancing panel he is obliged to ensure that the bank is OK with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my solicitor’s stance correct?
A precondition to being on the Nationwide Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Nationwide BS) 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 you.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Nationwide BS approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Nationwide BS solicitor panel.
The firm that I appointed last week on my purchase in Brighton has without warning shut down. I only went with them because I needed a solicitor on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel and my preferred lawyer was not. I paid them £200 on account. What do I do now?
If you have an estate agent involved then inform them straight away so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You should appoint new lawyers that are on the Nationwide BS conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers may be able to help
We expect to receive a DIP from Nationwide Building Society 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 Nationwide BS recommend a solicitor on the Nationwide Building Society 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 Nationwide BS conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Nationwide Building Society through the process.
My husband and I are spending time looking at flats and am about to put in an offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I intend to finance via a home loan with Nationwide BS
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the estate agent. As you are getting a mortgage with Nationwide Building Society , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel.
I am selling my flat. I had a double glazing fitted in month 8 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s mortgage company, Nationwide BS are being a right pain. The solicitor who is on the Nationwide Building Society conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but Nationwide BS are requiring a building regulation certificate. Why do Nationwide Building Society have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that Nationwide BS have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Nationwide Building Society may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.