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approved by SuffolkBuildingSociety
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the SuffolkBuildingSociety list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Suffolk Building Society Conveyancing Panel
FAQs for the Suffolk Building Society Solicitor Panel
On what basis could a firm of solicitors be excluded from the Suffolk Building Society solicitor panel?
A survey recently commissioned by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority found that three quarters of solicitor practices had been excluded from a lender panel. The most common reasons in order are :
- lack 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 Suffolk Building Society
Our lawyer has discovered a problem with the lease for the flat we are buying. The seller’s lawyers have put forward defective title insurance as a solution. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our lawyer has advised that as he is on the Suffolk Building Society conveyancing panel he must ensure that the lender is happy with this solution. Who is the client here, us or Suffolk Building Society?
Just because you have a mortgage offer from Suffolk Building Society does not mean to say that the property will be meet their requirements for the purposes of a mortgage. Your lawyer has to ensure that the lease has to comply with the CML Handbook Requirements. You and Suffolk Building Society are the client. The appropriate lender requirements have to be complied with by the Suffolk Building Society conveyancing panel who has to balance acting for you and Suffolk Building Society
Are there any apps to help search for a local solicitor on the Suffolk Building Society conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 20 miles to meet the lawyer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Suffolk Building Society solicitor panel.
I am considering applying for a Suffolk Building Society mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) with 60% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Suffolk Building Society?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor but Suffolk Building Society will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is greater potential for delays and confusion with an additional lawyer added to the mix, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
I'm in the process of looking at flats and now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I I am planning to take a home loan with Suffolk Building Society
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use 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 Suffolk Building Society , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Suffolk Building Society conveyancing panel.
On the whole I have been dissatisfied with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Suffolk Building Society conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
There is little point in complaining directly to Suffolk Building Society. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called into my local branch Suffolk Building Society on various occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Suffolk Building Society conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for Suffolk Building Society. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Suffolk Building Society will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Suffolk Building Society to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.