First Direct Re-Mortgage and supposedly free legal

nmp

Hi all,

Am in the process of remortgaging and have an agreement in principle. The fixed rate offset mortgage comes with free valuation and free legal, though with a 999.00 upfront 'arrangement fee', I'm sure its anything but.

Anyhow, we're at the stage where First Direct have agreed the mortgage and instructed the conveyancing firm doing the remortgage. They've since sent me the remortgage questionnaire and deeds to sign, witness and return.

I've remortgaged before and the last time, the paperwork was pretty straight forward. The letter from the conveyancing firm that FD have instructed (Enact) is all legal-speak and near impossible to read. (No plain english crystal marks for them!)
The one thing they are clear about, is that Enact are working on behalf of First Direct, and will not be able to advise me on any aspect of the remortgage. They have also sent my partner a very lengthy waiver form that they are asking her to sign to waive any rights to the property in case of foreclosure. Standard stuff.

However, they also stress that it is in my interest to get legal advice.

Now whenever I've remortgaged in the past, it was myself paying for the remortgage, the legal firm would act on my behalf, or so I recall (I could be mistaken).

So the question is, should I instruct a solicitor to review the forms and the deeds before signing and returning, or should Enact be acting on my behalf in this matter? Or is this a straight forward enough matter that I don't really need representation?

Thanks all
nmp

Wh05apk

This is pretty standard, the free solicitors are effectively acting for the lender, they have to cover themselves and recommend you have your own, I have never known anyone to do that where free legls are used.

More importantly, why is your partner not going on the mortgage.