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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
Frequently asked questions relating to the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor is not identified on the Whistletree Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the standard of his conveyancing?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Whistletree.
Our solicitor has discovered a legal deficiency with the lease for the apartment we are buying. The other side have suggested title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our lawyer says that as he is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel he must be satisfied that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Whistletree?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Whistletree are the client. A precondition to being on the Whistletree approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Whistletree). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Whistletree can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . 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.
I note that you have a post code search directory identifying law firms on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I retain them for my conveyancing?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
My house is up for sale and I have a buyer. Does my solicitor have to be on the Whistletree conveyancing panel in order to deal with redeeming my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Whistletree conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
I previously instructed online conveyancers based in Cardiff who are on the Whistletree solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £135 for dealing with the Whistletree mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set 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 but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
Last month we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Whistletree. Solicitors have been chosen? How long does it take for Whistletree to send the offer to our conveyancer
Some lenders take longer than others. Have Whistletree completed the survey? Have you advised Whistletree as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Whistletree conveyancing panel? sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued
I was told four weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed
to by Whistletree. Is it usual for Whistletree to only issue the offer once my
solicitor is approved on their conveyancing panel?
A lender would not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Whistletree to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.
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Transfer of Equity for WhistletreePlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors