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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.
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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
Q and A’s regarding the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel
My Solicitor is not listed on the Whistletree Approved Panel. Is it possible for me to use my preferred solicitor notwithstanding that they are excluded from the Whistletree panel?
You have a number of options available to you here:
- Complete the purchase with your existing lawyers but Whistletree will need to instruct a lawyer on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. This will result in additional cost and potential delay.
- Get a new solicitor to act in the purchase, obviously checking they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel.
- Urge your lawyer to apply to join the Whistletree lender panel
My grandson is in the process of securing a newly built flat with a home loan from Whistletree. His lawyer has advised him of a delay in completing the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?
The document is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the purchase. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Whistletree conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer when requested.
The Developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it.
The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Whistletree conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.
Do all the firms listed on your search have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the Whistletree 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 lawyers in London have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Whistletree. Is it case that being on the Whistletree conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Whistletree directly.
Is it the case that all conveyancing solicitors on the Whistletree conveyancing panel work on a no move no charge basis?
On the whole there are no requirements by lenders for their firms to operate on a no-sale-no-fee basis. There a small number of lenders who operate a very restricted conveyancing panel managed by a third party company (often termed in the industry as a ‘gatekeeper’). That third party may impose certain conditions such as non-sale-no fee on the panel firms. If you require this as a condition of your conveyancing then you should check with the conveyancing firm that this is part of their package
In what circumstances might Whistletree amend or withdraw their mortgage offer?
Banks and Building Societies such as Whistletree can withdraw their mortgage offer although this rarely happens. should Whistletree withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to the reasons why. There are many potential reasons but here are a number of examples:
- If the borrower informs Whistletree of a change in security address
- If the borrower informs Whistletree of a change in the loan amount agreed
- A cashback to the buyer, or | part of the price includes a non-cash incentive to the buyer (eg paid stamp duty land tax),or | any indirect incentive (cash or non cash) or rental guarantee, of which the lender was previously unaware
- Where the lender has to take account a recent change in taxation
- If the solicitor on the Whistletree conveyancing panel acting for the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor cannot comply with Whistletree ‘s instructions
We have had an offer accepted on a flat I spoke to a conveyancer previously used by my uncle and he advised retaining 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 pointed out that either practice 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 for conveyancing panel firms in your area. 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.
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