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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

FAQs for the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel

How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find one who is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. Is it practical to instruct different lawyers?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
Much to my surprise my property lawyer has requested from me ID documents saying that this forms part of his legal duty as a conveyancer on the Whistletree Conveyancing panel. Can this be correct?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that Whistletree also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with Whistletree CML Handbook requirements last updated on Whistletree
How up to date is your search tool for the Whistletree conveyancing panel? Do Whistletree send you an updated list?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Whistletree directly.
My uncle 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 £5k. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Whistletree , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then Whistletree will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Whistletree 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 Whistletree 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 Whistletree mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Whistletree. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Whistletree you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Whistletree conveyancing panel.
The mortgage over my property is with Whistletree. Conveyancing was finalised some time ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Whistletree?
Your original mortgage agreement with Whistletree will provide that you need their approval in advance of renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Whistletree’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Whistletree directly. You need not do this via a Whistletree conveyancing panel lawyer.
Planning on purchasing a house with a mortgage with Whistletree. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel