Anyone struggling with HSBC solicitors?

Thrugelmir

phil_b wrote: »

P.S is it just me or do a lot of posters seem to just sign up or come from no where and bash HSBC? it feels like a conspiracy is going on sometimes...

Many lenders etc have suffered a peak in processing applications due to end of stamp duty holiday. So HSBC's change perhaps wasn't best timed.

Nor do HSBC use third parties to sell mortgages. So combined with taking business away from conveyancers not greatly liked.

So going forward will give a truer reflection of service levels.

ReflexReaction

Well I ended up using them. Currently the only complaint is the charge, which isn't actually disclosed in any of the mortgage documentation. The only thing they ever said about it was verbal. I expect the charges will be the next PPI

Calzor_Suzay

Can I just confirm even though First Direct are pretty much HSBC they are not using the same process?

pinkteapot

ReflexReaction wrote: »

Well I ended up using them. Currently the only complaint is the charge, which isn't actually disclosed in any of the mortgage documentation. The only thing they ever said about it was verbal. I expect the charges will be the next PPI

Keep us posted on how the process goes and if there are any delays as a result of Countrywide overseeing your conveyancing (I assume that since you paid the £180 you are using your own, separate solicitor).

We also have an HSBC tracker mortgage taken out a couple of years ago and would use them again for their mortgage rates, but I am following these stories to see how the Countrywide panel thing goes...

The_J

Conspiracy against HSBC? Oh jesus put your tin hat back on nutter. People sign up to have a whinge that always happens.

HSBC service is not always terrible. This solicitor move, while not unexpected is the latest in a long line of silly moves, reduced cost for the lender, increased cost, effort, hassle and time for the consumer.

The problem is there are good and bad apples on their panel. Get a good one and you'll be fine, a bad one and you're stuffed.

MrHoppy

I might be getting an HSBC mortgage, because they do seem to offer the best deal. My estate agent's recommended conveyancer isn't on HSBC's panel. Does anyone know whether it's better to use HSBC's conveyancer, or another? I'm mostly concerned about how long it will take to process.

Yorkie1

Do not use your EA's recommended solicitor. They will get kickbacks from the EA and they will not necessarily be the right solicitor for you (but are for the EA).

Yes there will be delays if you use a solicitor not on HSBC's panel. Plus extra expense.

If you must use HSBC, contact them and ask for details of 2 of their panel solicitors in your area but not for countrywide.

Then do a google or forum search for reviews for them.

Elfbert

I'm supposed to be exchanging on my flat today (just waiting for the call to say it's happened!) and, honestly, i can't put into words how terrible Countrywide have been.

Not only have they delayed the exchange by 2 months, they've also managed TWICE to fax private correspondence betweenn them and my solicitor to completely random fax numbers - once to my seller's solicitor, once to another number entirely! It was only the tireless work of my HSBC mortgage advisor yesterday that we finally tracked down the second fax and had it sent to the correct number, thereby authorising my exchange today.

If you go with HSBC, just insist that they don't give your case to Countrywide, but another of their approved firms, and do research for your area on what those firms are like.

Or wait until August, I think it is, and avoid the whole issue as they've now dropped that stupid policy and are allowing anyone CQS certified to do the work for their mortgages.

Good luck!

itsadoozy

I have applied for a HSBC lifetime tracker as it is the best deal I can find. It has all been accepted and being processed.

As soon as I notified my own conveyancing solicitor of my decision to switch mortgages, he advised me to look into possible delays, and if true, they would seriously jeopodise our contract exchange date plans (within the next week or two).

I phoned Countrywide (0161 766 2255) today and asked about the delays. The call handler told me they had received bad press due to the Stamp Duty deadline in March causing a backlog for non-first time buyers who were set aside in favour of the more urgent first time deals needing processing.

He said the delays are now gone, when I asked about 10 day turn around on correspondence, he said their service level agreement is to respond within 24 hrs to all correspondence.

Can anybody share any recent cases of whether there are still problems here?

I have a Halifax mortgage to fall back on if the delays from the HSBC mortgage are still present. I can't afford to delay, but I'd be daft not to consider the savings I can get from the Tracker at 2.99%.

Many thanks

Conrad

phil_b wrote: »

I completed on my house purchase a few days ago, using HSBC solicitors. The whole thing was very efficient, communication was brilliant and they even went above and beyond IMO working on my behalf to sort out a damp issue.

Cant recommend them enough based on my personal experieice, and they had the best mortgage deal on offer by a country mile.

P.S is it just me or do a lot of posters seem to just sign up or come from no where and bash HSBC? it feels like a conspiracy is going on sometimes...

Nope it's just you were lucky, that is all, and so you presume this is the norm.

As a broker I've known the dreadful Abbey get everything done in 7 days, not a hitch, but typically I encounter rigmaroles and unecessary hassles. As such it would be dim witted to focus only on the fluffy positive outcomes.