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.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Conveyancing Panel
Whistletree Solicitor Panel Recently Asked Questions
I have been advised by my broker that I have to pay Whistletree fees if I use my own solicitor. How good are the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitors? I dont care which law firm I use provided that they are good and reasonably priced. Are there any Whistletree conveyancers you'd recommend?
Whistletree’s conveyancing panel is pretty large so it would be advisable to check with the firms you are getting quotes from whether they are on it. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Whistletree will allow to act for them.
My lawyer has identified a difference when comparing the assumptions in Whistletree’s valuation report and what is in the legal papers for the property. My solicitor says that as he is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel he is duty bound to check that the bank is with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my conveyancer’s approach right?
A precondition to being on the Whistletree approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Whistletree) 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.
Do I need to attend the offices of the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitor to execute the mortgage deed? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Bristol
so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.
As opposed to 12 years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Bristol
.
I am trying to get my ex-wife taken off the mortgage deeds. Can Whistletree really insist on which solicitor I can or can not use?
You can use any solicitor you like but Whistletree then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Whistletree solicitors panel
We have agreed a price on a apartment I spoke to a lawyer recommended by my brother and he advised instructing a law firm approved by Whistletree. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Whistletree if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Whistletree suggested that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Whistletree 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask Whistletree to suggest a law firm in your location. Lenders have them all over the country. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Whistletree conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Whistletree conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Whistletree’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
I have paid off my mortgage with Whistletree. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Whistletree panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Am I right?
If you have finished paying off your Whistletree mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Whistletree mortgage from the register. Whistletree,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
but are not moving to another property
where the Whistletree has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the Whistletree has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Whistletree mortgage has been paid off.
Whistletree 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 Whistletree or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Whistletree will tell you what documents they want. Whistletree 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. Whistletree 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.