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approved by Accord Mortgages
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Accord Mortgages list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Accord Mortgages Ltd Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Accord Mortgages Ltd Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Accord Mortgages Ltd Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the Accord Mortgages Conveyancing Panel
I instructed a law firm to conduct the legal paperwork on my house purchase six weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. The firm assured me that they are on Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel and gave me their panel number. Accord Mortgages then called me to say that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What happens next? Should I appoint a new solicitor currently on the conveyancing panel for Accord Mortgages?
The answer depends on whether you still have confidence in the said solicitors and how long it will take for the firm to be reinstated on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Accord Mortgages as to the time frame to get your lawyer reinstated on the panel once again.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Accord Mortgages will not agree to this. Why was Accord Mortgages even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Accord Mortgages of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Accord Mortgages then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Accord Mortgages.
Do all mortgage companies provide you with an approved list of solicitors? How do you know who is on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Accord Mortgages directly.
I am buying a new build flat and getting a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel in your location.
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Accord Mortgages have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that your lender is Accord Mortgages your lawyer must to check the Accord Mortgages conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Accord Mortgages . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Accord Mortgages where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date . I have telephoned Accord Mortgages on numerous occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for Accord Mortgages. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Accord Mortgages will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Accord Mortgages to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
After shopping around on the internet I have found a solicitor having checked that they are on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?
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I've read lots of mortgage guides,I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Accord Mortgages conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Accord Mortgages will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Accord Mortgages will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey.
You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
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Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Accord Mortgages you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
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Transfer of Equity for Accord MortgagesPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors