Help! Solicitor not on panel

4littleone

Hi,
I submitted a full mortgage application through my broker 5 weeks ago. The lender is Kent Reliance.
Prior to the application my broker requested and was given my solicitors details, they told me to go ahead and instruct and start the process of purchase which I did. I've now paid almost £1000 in solicitors fees on account, they have got quite a way through the purchase paperwork including searches and enquiries, they are due to be completed by the 7th Nov and we were planning to complete late Nov / early Dec.
The broker had pre-underwritten before submission and checked all documents and told me to plan on around 4-6 weeks for an offer. They have been pretty rubbish since with updates and my original broker has been sacked, I now have a new case manager who is just as difficult to get hold of.

I have had a breezy email response to my request for an update today telling me that everything is in place but I need to instruct a new solicitor as the one I have is not on the panel for KR. This is going to significantly delay proceedings and I am pretty sure after calling a couple of companies on the list that any new solicitor is going to charge me full fees and start new searches.

Is there any way I can get KR to accept my current solicitor? I can't afford to waste £1000.

kingstreet

None that I can imagine. What about leaving KR to appoint one of its panel members to act for it while you keep your representation? It may be cheaper.

kingstreet

Standard residential, shared ownership BTL/Ltd Co BTL?

https://www.kentrelianceforintermediaries.co.uk/conveyancing/conveyancing-panel-criteria

4littleone

Sorry, it's shared ownership. My solicitor already works with KR but it looks like they haven't been added to the panel. I've just got off the phone with the solicitor who thinks he can contact them on Monday to do an application. I am crossing everything but also need to work out a plan B.

4littleone

kingstreet said:

None that I can imagine. What about leaving KR to appoint one of its panel members to act for it while you keep your representation? It may be cheaper.

Can I do that? Would I just get the broker to put that forward or do you think I need to contact direct? This is my first purchase and I have no idea of the ins and outs of all of this!

housebuyer143

4littleone said:

kingstreet said:

None that I can imagine. What about leaving KR to appoint one of its panel members to act for it while you keep your representation? It may be cheaper.

Can I do that? Would I just get the broker to put that forward or do you think I need to contact direct? This is my first purchase and I have no idea of the ins and outs of all of this!

Yes, I believe you can. It makes it all a little slower as their lawyer will review all the paperwork your solicitor has done and may have stuff to add and you will have to pay for it. Ask your solicitor about it or the lender.