Find a Law Firm
approved by Astra Mtgs
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Astra Mtgs 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 ASTRA mortgages Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the ASTRA mortgages Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the ASTRA mortgages Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the ASTRA mortgages Conveyancing Panel
The lawyer my fiance and I wanted to use for conveyancing on a purchase said he will levy higher legal fees if my mortgage is with ASTRA mortgages due to their difficult processes! Will I regret using ASTRA mortgages? Is ASTRA mortgages conveyancing so much more difficult?
ASTRA mortgages conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders.
It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender.
It is not clear if your lawyer is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as ASTRA mortgages will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
I am buying a new build duplex and my conveyancer is informing me that she has to disclose incentives from the builder as her practice is on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and I dont want to prolong deal. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the ASTRA mortgages panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the ASTRA mortgages approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on ASTRA mortgages). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Do I need to have a meeting at the offices of the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Liverpool
so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for ASTRA mortgages undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
My house is up for sale and I have a buyer. Does my solicitor have to be on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
We expect to receive a DIP from ASTRA mortgages this week so we can work out what to offer on a property we like as otherwise we are dependent on web based calculators (which aren't taking into account credit checks etc).Do the ASTRA mortgages recommend a solicitor on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel, or is it better to find our own lawyer
You will need to appoint solicitors independently although you'll need to choose one on the ASTRA mortgages conveyancing panel. The solicitor represents both you and the ASTRA mortgages through the process.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called into my local branch ASTRA mortgages on numerous occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the ASTRA 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
As long as the conveyancer is on the ASTRA mortgages panel she or he must comply with the CML Handbook requirements for ASTRA mortgages. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that ASTRA 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 ASTRA mortgages to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
ASTRA mortgages have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up ASTRA mortgages or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. ASTRA mortgages will tell you what documents they want. ASTRA mortgages will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. ASTRA mortgages will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for ASTRA mortgagesPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors