NHBC cover note for the lender

fryderykchopin

Apologies in advance for my long question.
I'm buying a house that is less than 10 years old and is covered by the NHBC scheme.
The sellers have provided a "cover note" of the NHBC scheme, which contains the address of the property, the NHBC policy number, and NHBC registration number and is signed by a building inspector. However this document has the following statement: "This is not a CML cover note and will only bring section 1 of cover into force."
I was told by my solicitor that this is not the actual NHBC guarantee/certificate and that they would chase the sellers to provide it.
Now my case is being handled by another solicitor within the same firm (apparently they switch randomly) who does not seem to care much about getting that certificate (or whatever it is, since I have no clue of what the document looks like). I have asked about this to the new solicitor, but my requests seem to be ignored (I have the impression they just want to exchange contracts and close the case asap).
My concern is about the lender (HSBC) since in their CML handbook they mention that the house needs to be covered by one valid scheme like NHBC.
My concern is whether this NHBC cover note that I have may not be sufficient to the lender and they may withdraw the offer before completion (just assuming a worst possible case, maybe I'm unnecessarily worried).
I have checked HSBC´s CML handbook and apparently it only says that the solicitor needs to check the house is covered by the NHBC scheme (which is true) but the bank does not require any warranty documentation to be sent to them.
I would like to exchange contracts and complete asap, but I'm not sure if it is safe to go ahead with this "cover note" or should have the actual warranty certificate (whatever it is).
It seems I can get it from NHBC (for a fee) once the house is on my name, however that's not the point, my concern is if not having it before completion could be a problem with HSBC.
Any one could advise if it is safe to go ahead, or if I should insist the sellers to provide the actual warranty certificate?

davidmcn

The lender relies on what the solicitor tells them. If the solicitor doesn't highlight it to the lender as a problem (and it doesn't sound like they will) then the lender will be none the wiser, and won't care. As you say, the actual certificate can be obtained from NHBC, but there's little point in hanging around however many weeks it will take them to deal with that.

How old is the house anyway? If it's getting close to 10 years old this is hardly worth worrying about.

fryderykchopin

davidmcn said:

The lender relies on what the solicitor tells them. If the solicitor doesn't highlight it to the lender as a problem (and it doesn't sound like they will) then the lender will be none the wiser, and won't care. As you say, the actual certificate can be obtained from NHBC, but there's little point in hanging around however many weeks it will take them to deal with that.

How old is the house anyway? If it's getting close to 10 years old this is hardly worth worrying about.

That's what I suspected, but when you put big sums of money in the middle you just want to walk on safe steps.
The house is 6 years old, so still 4 years of cover left.

bucksbloke

A replacement can be requested by the current owner or their solicitor by visiting https://www.nhbc.co.uk/Homeowners/Sellingyourhome/