Countrywide Conveyancing/HSBC - avoid like the plague if you want to complete

Hay_Sun

Hi everyone,

Having read all of the above, I haven't yet decided whether to take on an HSBC mortgage or not. However, I've been told that if I do and I choose to have one of the solicitors from their panel carry out the conveyancing, this would be carried out by Attwells Solicitors. Has anyone had any good / bad dealings with this firm?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Richard_Webster

Hi everyone,

Having read all of the above, I haven't yet decided whether to take on an HSBC mortgage or not. However, I've been told that if I do and I choose to have one of the solicitors from their panel carry out the conveyancing, this would be carried out by Attwells Solicitors. Has anyone had any good / bad dealings with this firm?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

It wouldn't be fair to comment - I have no experience of this firm - but you should be able to choose anyone from their list and not have them tell you who to use.

Phone up Attewells and explain that you are considering using them because you are getting an HSBC mortgage and ask them what they will charge - with any disbursements, searches, extras etc. Phone some others on the list and see what you think. Get the estimates in writing and look through them.

Obviously there some advantages in using a firm comparatively local to you so that you can get stuff to them quickly if you have to - e.g a 25 mile drive and back is doable in an evening to drop something in - a 200 mile one isn't!

Hay_Sun

Hi Richard,

Many thanks for your helpful post. It's greatly appreciated.

I'm waiting for Attwells to get back to me (...), but in the meantime, I called one of the other solicitors on the list (Shulmans) to get a quotation and estimated timeframe from them. According to Shulmans, the borrower does not have a choice as to which solicitor to appoint. If one chooses to go down the HSBC route, HSBC will impose a particular solicitor to carry out the conveyancing.

Something else for everyone to take note of...

Richard_Webster

According to Shulmans, the borrower does not have a choice as to which solicitor to appoint. If one chooses to go down the HSBC route, HSBC will impose a particular solicitor to carry out the conveyancing.

Something else for everyone to take note of...

If this is the case it ramps the whole thing up to a higher level of unreasonableness.

It would be good to hear from HSBC as to whether a buyer can choose any of the 39 firms in England or the choice will be imposed by HSBC.

Have others who have used their panel had any choice as to which members to use?

Suety

Richard_Webster wrote: »

You do know that First Direct is part of HSBC and you will be signing an HSBC mortgage deed in due course - just different admin procedures. At the moment First Direct isn't a problem as far as solicitors are concerned, but one wonders whether HSBC will extend this nightmare to First Direct in due course.

I was aware of this fact, and as if to confirm this point after putting in an application with First Direct on Friday, Countrywide got in touch with my solicitor on Monday. The first time since the 6th of March. Coincidence?

mischief2012

mischief2012 wrote: »

There are 2 in my chain, me and my buyer. He has gone for an HSBC mortgage and is using his own solicitor and paying the extra bit although Countrywide still get involved. I am buying a new house where I have a deadline to exchange within 28 days and complete 10 days after that. We are now over 40 days past exchange deadline and the builder who has been patient up until now is now becoming twitchy. The contracts are signed, mortgages approved, searches done etc but Countrywide have to rubberstamp the exchange before it can go ahead. This has been weeks now and they are saying they are too busy to do it and cannot even give an estimate as to how long it will take. Any ideas on what we can do?? We should have moved in February!!!!

Had a phone call from the builder of my new house today. If we do not exchange by Thursday they are going to pull out as they are fed up of the delay. My buyer is chasing HSBC and Countrywide with no success. Any ideas??? Really really desperate

HTW

mischief2012 wrote: »

Had a phone call from the builder of my new house today. If we do not exchange by Thursday they are going to pull out as they are fed up of the delay. My buyer is chasing HSBC and Countrywide with no success. Any ideas??? Really really desperate

You could tell your buyer to do what I did

I completed my purchase on the 23-03-12 I used my own solicitor and Countrywide were appointed by HSBC
On the 20-03 I was told that the deal was stalled because of Countrywide. They had received the paperwork 11days ago but had not even looked at it
Here is what I did
Rang HSBC explained the problem and raised a complaint about their solicitors (Countrywide) holding up the deal and not returning calls from my solicitor. I told HSBC that I wanted Countrywide to contact my solicitor in the next 2 hours.
HSBC said that they can not guarantee contact within 2 hours .
I pointed out that I want Countrywide to do what I had paid them to do and if they do not contact my solicitor I will ring up every 2 hours and raise a complaint every time until they do their job.I also said that if I do not complete the transaction by the 23rd I would complain to the Banking Ombudsman and Law society . After a few complaints my paperwork was fastracked and I moved on the agreed date.
If you try this method do not shout or swear at the HSBC staff its not their fault and they will be recording the call.

It worked for me, HSBC will not want to have lots of complaints.

Lavendyr

Suety wrote: »

I was aware of this fact, and as if to confirm this point after putting in an application with First Direct on Friday, Countrywide got in touch with my solicitor on Monday. The first time since the 6th of March. Coincidence?

That's a bit odd. We are arranging a mortgage with FD at the moment. We gave them the details of our solicitor (a local independent firm) and they said that they meet their criteria and it's fine to use them. I hope Countrywide don't put in an appearance with us... :eek:

jonas123

Finally got permission to exchange today. I'm exhausted from the stress this has caused me. Applied for the mortgage early January, and only now can I exchange - I was afraid my sellers may die in the meantime...

My advice to anyone here is to phone HSBC everyday, and ask to speak to a supervisor. Use them to speak to Countrywide and mark the case as urgent. And let them know that you want to complete within a few days, even if you don't.

betmunch

Lavendyr wrote: »

That's a bit odd. We are arranging a mortgage with FD at the moment. We gave them the details of our solicitor (a local independent firm) and they said that they meet their criteria and it's fine to use them. I hope Countrywide don't put in an appearance with us... :eek:

Dont worry, FD dodged the bullet, I suspect because they have such a good reputation for customer service they managed to avoid the link up.

Its only HSBC mortgages that are affected.