Witness for Mortgage Deed

mikeyp231987

My solicitors have said I need a witness who should be an 'independent solicitor, legal advisor or HSBC official' to sign the deed.

I rang First Direct and asked them about going into HSBC and their advice was 'you can try' but they're not sure. They think ordinarily I would go to my solicitors in person and do it...but they are based almost 100 miles away in Liverpool.

I did my fair amount of research before starting the whole process off and there was no mention of any of this. When I was reading about appointing a solicitor there were lots of posts on here saying that their proximity is not important because its all done online.

So what do I need to do now? Does this mean I have to hire another solicitor just to sign the document...? Then get charged another couple of hundred quid just for that?

Or do you think I can actually just go into a HSB branch and get it sorted there?

Grezz24

This wont help but when we signed ours (last month) we didnt need an 'official witness'.

We my wifes friend sign the document (infact all the documents were witnessed and signed by said friend) after our solicitor confirmed this was fine. I would have expected that to be the case for everyone.

I would get clarification if you can get someone else to witness.

davidmcn

Solicitors aren't going to charge hundreds of pounds just to witness a deed. Shop around for someone local to do it. Or just try HSBC. Or phone your solicitors and ask them the same question!

Comms69

davidmcn wrote: »

Solicitors aren't going to charge hundreds of pounds just to witness a deed. Shop around for someone local to do it. Or just try HSBC. Or phone your solicitors and ask them the same question!

It'd be £5 - £10 in my area. Solicitors might charge £200 an hour here, but the little trickle income certainly helps when they're not with clients.

sgun

Just been through the nightmare that is getting a First Direct mortgage. Indeed it would be the case that your solicitor or licensed conveyancer could sign and it probably wouldn't cost a thing. My solicitor will witness straightforward documents for £5 (NE) and my parents ID is being signed and witnessed in Ipswich for £10 so it probably won't cost you the £100's that you think.

In my experience with FD this won't be the last of your problems!

Thrugelmir

£5 here. Pop in and ask. One of the junior solicitors does the task. The money is often donated to charity.

G_M

In every response I give to the oft-repeated query "how do I choose a solicitor" I recommend someone local to you.


Normally a witness to a mortgage deed can be any responsible but unrelated person. A next door neighbour is usually OK. Check with your solicitor and/or lender.


A local solicitor will act as witness for a nominal fee (£5 - £20).


Or try your own bank.

sgun

G_M wrote: »

In every response I give to the oft-repeated query "how do I choose a solicitor" I recommend someone local to you.


Normally a witness to a mortgage deed can be any responsible but unrelated person. A next door neighbour is usually OK. Check with your solicitor and/or lender.


A local solicitor will act as witness for a nominal fee (£5 - £20).


Or try your own bank.

First Direct are VERY particular about who can witness documents, certainly not the usual run-of-the-mill any old person!

I was very glad I took your advice GM from a previous thread about getting a local solicitor. I was originally going with one near where I was buying but you are right, it is so useful to be able to pop in when needed.

mikeyp231987

So I just returned from a branch of HSBC where they told me they couldn't help me... So seems I will have to find another local solicitor who can do it

mikeyp231987

I just rang up a local solicitors who said they'd do it for £10.