Solicitor not on lender panel

Octopod

Hi I posted before about this problem but that was around 4 weeks ago!! The solicitor has been trying but is still not on the panel because they're not providing sufficient documentation. They haven't started searches on our purchase but have received a draft contract from our seller's solicitors. I'm thinking we need to switch and I have enquired at another solicitors (who are on the panel) as to whether they would pick up from where the others have got to. But, to add to the mix, their other office are representing our vendor. I thought this would be beneficial but apparently there could be a conflict of interest? Advice and thoughts please! They said it should be ok as long as the lender doesn't have a problem with it?

The other thing is, our original solicitors have got quite far with our buyers side of things so if we do switch, it will only be for the selling side and I know this isn't ideal either.

We've paid £300 for the searches for our purchase (which they haven't started) so I'm hoping we can get this back. Particularly because we only went with them on the proviso they were actually on the panel (which they confirmed in writing).

What should we do?! There's a nagging feeling saying just give it until the end of the week because they may have got themselves on to the panel by then and it would save hassle but the other thing is we need our mortgage offer asap to put pressure on our seller to chain break because the chain is still not complete!!

Thanks for reading, advice appreciated 😊

amnblog

Working with a lender that is not on the solicitors panel is fraught with potential problems like this - it is to be avoided.

In your case I suspect you are not casting your net wide enough.

There should be a number of firms that could pick this up and sort it for you.

There is area where a broker would ensure you do not make this type of mistake in selecting legal representation.

I suspect however, that you applied direct to lender.