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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
Q and A’s regarding the Whistletree Conveyancing Panel
I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Whistletree panel of conveyancing solicitors. 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.
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.
Are there any apps to help find a local solicitor on the Whistletree conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 20 kilometers to meet the conveyancer.
Feel free to make use of the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Whistletree solicitor panel.
Please explain the implications if my lawyer’s firm is expelled from the Whistletree Solicitor panel before the completion date?
First, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Whistletree conveyancing panel?
Some major lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their panels.
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 use 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.
We are are buying a house in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are preferred to beretained. My agentadvised that we check that the solicitor in Hendon is on the Whistletree panel. Is this right?
It is not that case that all Hendon conveyancing firms are on the Whistletree conveyancing panel. Click here to find a Hendon conveyancing firm on the on the Whistletree panel.