Solicitor not on lenders panel

mrseff_2

Quick question for a confused FTB. I appointed a solicitor and instructed searches - in the meantime my lender changed and this solicitor didn't appear to be on the panel. I called them to check and she said 'we are on the panel'. My mortgage advisor has now come to me and said in fact that they are not. So - I will of course phone solicitor to check again but if they're not on the panel then they're not... If this is the case would the searches done be transferrable if I moved solicitor?
Thank you

Slithery

Can your current solicitor not just join your new lenders panel?

davidmcn

mrseff_2 said:

would the searches done be transferrable if I moved solicitor?

Searches are transferrable, yes. But I would wait to say what the solicitor says about the panel, could just be a mix-up (or easy for them to (re)join).

greatcrested

Some lenders will simply add a solicitor to their panel on request.

Some will take time to do so, which may impact your timescales, though could be done in parallel with other work.

But some will refuse, especially f the firm does not meet their criteria - for example many lenders won't use smaller firms or one-man-bands.

So wait to see what the solicitor says, but if there's a problem, then change solicitor asap.

mrseff_2

Thanks all - she's come back to my email with an apology saying she's checked with senior partner and actually, they're not on the panel - argh! So I've asked her to confirm that the searches will be transferrable and I'm out of there - will be appointing someone new tomorrow. 

hazyjo

Your solicitor may be able to use another firm of solicitors who is on their panel for the financials. Mine did that once when buying.

Kernower

hazyjo said:

Your solicitor may be able to use another firm of solicitors who is on their panel for the financials. Mine did that once when buying.

That’s exactly what we’ve done.  Very similar circumstances originally assured by solicitors they were, then found they weren’t, once we’d committed to mortgage company.  All going through fine now.

Peppermint90

Same here! My solicitor for the house I'm trying to buy is not on my lenders panel, so he has passed on all the documents he has prepared to a solicitor who IS on the lenders panel, to check and authorise for exchange/completion. 

I'm kinda stuck on what the etiquette is on chasing the solicitor over this...should I push my solicitor to push lenders solicitor, or should I email lenders solicitor myself and ask for an update (so far i've not had any contact with lenders solicitor) ....

Tiglet2

Peppermint90 said:

I'm kinda stuck on what the etiquette is on chasing the solicitor over this...should I push my solicitor to push lenders solicitor, or should I email lenders solicitor myself and ask for an update (so far i've not had any contact with lenders solicitor) ....

You can only speak to your solicitor, who is acting for you.
The lender's solicitor is acting for the lender.