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approved by RBS - Direct Line
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the RBS - Direct Line 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 The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor Panel
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not isted on the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the standard of her conveyancing?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for RBS - Direct Line.
Can you clarify something for me?. My lawyer is not to blame but, my purchase conveyancing has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from RBS - Direct Line was date stamped random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on 6. My solicitor says that as she is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel she needs to redo the searches as they are no longer valid.
A precondition to being on the RBS - Direct Line approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook Part 2 obligations (last updated for this lender on RBS - Direct Line)which states that a local authority search be not more than half a year old. You should nevertheless ask your lawyer to check whether something called ‘search validation’ indemnity insurance is acceptable to RBS - Direct Line.
Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your directory have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the RBS - Direct Line solicitor panel?
No. There is no CML Part 2 or Building Society Association requirement relating to online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
My solicitors in Birmingham have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with RBS - Direct Line. Is it case that being on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting RBS - Direct Line directly.
Do the majority of 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 RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel requirements are different to RBS - Direct Line’s conveyancing panel requirements.
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 telephoned RBS - Direct Line on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
My offer on house has been accepted, the seller does however have a dependent purchase. The vendors have offered on somewhere, but not been accepted yet, and have viewings of other properties in the pipeline. My conveyancing solicitor has been instructed. What should be my next step? When should I get the mortgage app going with RBS - Direct Line?
It is usual to have concerns where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (mortgage application is approx £1k, then survey/valuation, conveyancing search costs, etc). First you should check that your solicitor is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. As to the next stages this very much depends on the circumstances of your case, desire for this property and on the state of the market. In a hot mortgage some buyers would pally for the mortgage with RBS - Direct Line and pay for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they pay their solicitor to press on with searches.
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Transfer of Equity for RBS - Direct LinePlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors