Find a Law Firm
approved by AprilMortgages
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the AprilMortgages 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 April Mortgages Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the April Mortgages Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the April Mortgages Conveyancing Panel
FAQs for the April Mortgages Conveyancing Panel
Is there a reason why all UK lawyers are not on the April Mortgages Conveyancing panel?
Mortgage companies point to the fact that solicitor-led fraud is thought to be responsible for millions of pounds of fraud every year. The removal of law firms off of lender panels started with the rise in mortgage fraud, which prompted a thematic review by the Financial Services Authority in 2011. Its outcome included recommendations for lenders to review their conveyancing panels, which kicked off a major policy change in the sector. It led to banks and building societies purging less reputable firms off their books
Our property lawyer has requested from me ID documents saying that this forms part of his requirements as a conveyancer on the April Mortgages Solicitor panel. Is this right?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Client Care letter that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that April Mortgages also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with April Mortgages CML Handbook requirements last updated on April Mortgages
Are the lawyers identified as being on the April Mortgages conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by April Mortgages?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the April Mortgages conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from April Mortgages directly.
We're in Birmingham, First time buyers buying with a mortgage (lender is April Mortgages , but our solicitor is on the April Mortgages conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the April Mortgages conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
Do most lenders operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the April Mortgages conveyancing panel requirements are different to April Mortgages’s conveyancing panel requirements.
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender April Mortgages be concerned
Given that your lender is April Mortgages your lawyer must to check the April Mortgages conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for April Mortgages . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to April Mortgages where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
It is not clear whether my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date . I have called April Mortgages on various occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the April Mortgages conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply dont know who is right
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for April Mortgages. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that April 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 April Mortgages to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for April MortgagesPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors