Skipton Mortgage- Not accepting our Solicitor. Any ideas or experience?

tripleninjat

Hi Everyone

I was wondering if anyone would please be able to help.

We are currently going through the mortgage process with Skipton as recommended by our mortgage broker. The mortgage is approved from an income perspective, the valuation has been completed, and now Skipton has turned around and said they won't issue the mortgage offer because our solicitor is not on their approved panel.

This has really annoyed me as we have been clear with the broker and Skipton from day one as to who our solicitor is and no issues have been raised. I really do not want to employ someone else as we have already paid fees and incurred additional fees and our solicitor has been really responsive and done a fantastic job.

So my questions are:

- Has my broker advised us incorrectly on using Skipton? i.e. would they have known about the approved panel of solicitors?
- Are Skipton allowed to do this?
- Does anyone have any experience of this situation and how did you resolve it?

Thanks for your help everyone!

Senior_Paper_Monitor

1) No - he/she has advised you on the best lender for your circumstances not the best solicitor
2) Yes
3) Yes - a) Skipton are fairly good at accepting new panel applications provided your chosen solicitor comes up to muster b) see if Skipton will accept multiple representation (they have one - you have one) c) Get a new solicitor - they will normally hand searches and work done onwards

Thrugelmir

Approved panel solicitors are nothing new. Until the mortgage application is processed there's no onus on any other party to check the validity of the solicitor. As anything could happen in the interim period. Surprised the solicitor you appointed didn't raise the issue.

Unsure why you've incurred any costs. As solicitors don't normally start work and incur costs until the offer is received.

You'll probably encounter delays while the solicitor applies for panel status.

The lender was the organisation to seek advice from at the outset.

stator

Hopefully your solicitor is elligible for their panel and will get added and everything will be fine.

tripleninjat

Thanks for your replies everyone. We are first time buyers and really had no idea about the approved panel, I just wish someone had told us- I figured that the broker did all of this stuff. The searches and the fixtures and fittings list have already been completed so fingers crossed we can get this resolved!

amnblog

We had a recent client who insisted on using his own nominated solicitors although we warned him to use our recommended team who are on the lender's panel.

He has now endured a three week delay on receiving his offer whilst his solicitors applied to join the panel.

We always warn clients of the risk of delays or extra costs if they nominate their own solicitors.

tripleninjat

Amnblog- that is exactly what I would expect of a broker. Letting the client know vital information in order to speed things along!

Boogiecat

I am not a first time buyer but was also unaware of this until my mortgage advisor contacted me to tell me the solicitor I chose is not on the Skipton panel because he is now a sole trader after his business partner retired. He was not aware until my mortgage advisor contacted him! He passed the Skipton mortgage bit onto another solicitor who had me sign all the forms again, and repeat showing various forms of ID. What a pain in the backside :mad:Now delayed our completion date by at least a week, and I have tenants waiting to move into my flat. I'm surrounded by cardboard boxes (51 so far and counting) and just want to get into my new house. Someone needs a rocket up their backside.

amnblog

Unfortunately, often when we suggest recommended solicitors some buyers insist on finding someone 'cheap' instead.

pinkteapot

With HSBC, you can use your own solicitor instead of a panel one but you have to pay extra (£150 I think??) to HSBC for them to appoint their own solicitor (normally the solicitor acts for both you and the lender).

If you really don't want to change solicitor or wait for them to apply, do Skipton offer the same?

ACG

Boogie, I would think this is your solicitors fault.
Lenders criteria is typically between 2-4 partners in the firm. Your solicitor should know that (as most brokers and solicitors I have spoken to are aware of it).
Your solicitors have had a fundamental change and that has meant they no longer fit the vast majority of lenders panel criteria.

If you have incurred costs, I would be going back to them and asking why they never informed skipton (and presumably other lenders) of their change.