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Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Better 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 Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership (Mortgages) Conveyancing Panel
Examples of recent questions relating to the Better HomeOwnership Solicitor Panel
How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find one who is on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
can you help? My conveyancer is assuring me that he has to apply for a Local Authority search because the firm are on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel. Do I not have a choice here?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with Better HomeOwnership your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Better HomeOwnership’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Better HomeOwnership. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Better HomeOwnership?
The firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Better HomeOwnership directly.
I am attempting to get my ex-husband removed the mortgage deeds. Can Better HomeOwnership really tell me which solicitor I can or can not use?
You can use any solicitor you like but Better HomeOwnership then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Better HomeOwnership solicitors panel
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Better HomeOwnership panel is any good?
Getting recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing
Do most banks 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 Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel requirements are different to Better HomeOwnership’s conveyancing panel requirements.
For 5 years I had a mortgage with Better HomeOwnership. My grandfather has just retired and wants to pay off the mortgage left on the property. After Better HomeOwnership is paid, I want to transfer the property to my mother's name; How long does the process take? Do we need two separate solicitors on the Better HomeOwnership conveyancing panel? I do not intend to live at the property once the Better HomeOwnership mortgage is discharged.
Although you do need to retain the services of a lawyer they dont
need to be on the Better HomeOwnership panel.
You will need a solicitor to draw up the transfer and
to deal with the Land Registry formalities. The only thing you need to
consider is that by selling at an undervalue so ask your lawyer about
the implications. There could be an inheritance tax issue if you die
within 7 years of this. As the property is your main residence you need
not pay CGT but you should speak with your accountants in any event.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for Better HomeOwnershipPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors