Find a Law Firm
approved by Whistletree
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Whistletree list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel
Whistletree Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers
My property lawyer has never been on on the Whistletree Approved Panel. Is it possible for me to retain my preferred solicitor even though they are excluded from the Whistletree list of approved lawyers?
You will need to have a conveyancer complete the legal work required when you take out a Whistletree 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 Whistletree conveyancing panel additional costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be required by Whistletree. Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not previously applied for membership they can do so.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Whistletree will not agree to this. Why was Whistletree even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Whistletree of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Whistletree then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Whistletree.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Middlesbrough on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Whistletree ?
We do not recommend specific firms 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..
The lawyers that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Newcastle has suddenly shut down. They were on acting for me because I had to have a firm on the Whistletree conveyancing panel and my previous lawyer was not. I paid them £200 on account. What are my options?
Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then inform them immediately so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Whistletree 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 assist
I previously instructed online conveyancers based in Manchester who are on the Whistletree solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate fee of £135 for the legal aspects of the Whistletree mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by Whistletree?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Whistletree but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Whistletree will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Whistletree panel is any good?
Getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. 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 advocate that you speak with the solicitor conducting your conveyancing
We expect to receive a DIP from Whistletree this week so we know how much we could potentially offer as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the Whistletree recommend a solicitor on the Whistletree conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the Whistletree through the process.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for WhistletreePlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors