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approved by Virgin
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Virgin list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Virgin Money plc Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the Virgin Conveyancing Panel
The solicitor I had intended to instruct on a purchase said he would charge more if my lender is because of their unusual legal requirements. Am I likely to be frustrated using Virgin? Any comments will be appreciated
Virgin conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders.
It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender.
It is not clear if your lawyer is on the Virgin conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as Virgin will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
Much to my surprise my property lawyer has informed me that he requires proof of ID documents saying that this is part of his legal duty as a conveyancer on the Virgin Conveyancing panel. This is news to me - can I refuse?
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 Virgin your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy Virgin
Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your directory have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the Virgin solicitor panel?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders or BSA do not require online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
My aunt passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the house. The house had a relatively small loan left on it of around £4500. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Virgin , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then Virgin will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Virgin 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 Virgin 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 Virgin mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Virgin 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 Virgin your lawyer must to check the Virgin conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Virgin . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Virgin 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.
Virgin have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Virgin or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Virgin will tell you what documents they want. Virgin will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Virgin will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.
My brother and I are purchasing a 1st floor apartment in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are about to beappointed. My brother-in-lawadvised that we make sure that the solicitor in Hendon is on the Virgin solicitors panel. Surely I don't need to do this, do I?
It is not that case that all Hendon conveyancing practices are on the Virgin conveyancing panel. Click here to locate a Hendon conveyancing firm on the on the Virgin panel.