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approved by HodgeLife
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the HodgeLife list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
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How does my firm apply to be on the Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Hodge Life Conveyancing Panel
Examples of recent questions relating to the Hodge Life Solicitor Panel
I am obtaining a mortgage with Hodge Life. I hope to retain the legal services of a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Hodge Life Solicitor panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC
Hodge Life’s approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the CLC.
Our solicitor has uncovered a problem with the lease for the flat we are purchasing. The seller’s lawyers have offered title insurance as a workaround. We are content with insurance and will pay for it. Our solicitor says that as he is on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel he must be satisfied that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Hodge Life?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Hodge Life are the client. A precondition to being on the Hodge Life approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hodge Life). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Hodge Life can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Hodge Life?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Hodge Life directly.
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my solicitor is suspended from the Hodge Life Conveyancing panel before completion?
The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
is it true that all solicitor firms on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel regulated by the SRA?
As a firm of solicitors, in order to be on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Hodge Life. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with Hodge Life you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Hodge Life conveyancing panel.
I currently have a mortgage with with Hodge Life. Conveyancing was finalised months ago. In the event that I decide to rent out the flat and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Hodge Life?
Hodge Life must be informed of your intention prior to renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Hodge Life’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Hodge Life directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Hodge Life conveyancing panel solicitor.
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