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approved by Natwest Bank
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Natwest Bank list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the National Westminster Bank plc Conveyancing Panel
FAQs for the National Westminster Bank Solicitor Panel
For what reasons would a firm of solicitors be excluded from the National Westminster Bank solicitor panel?
According to a recent survey report by the solicitors regulator three quarters of law firms had been removed from a lender panel. The top reasons in order are :
- Low volume of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by National Westminster Bank
Please help. My conveyancer is advising me that she is duty-bound to order a Local Authority search because the firm are on the National Westminster Bank solicitor panel. The searches cost a lot of money. Can this be avoided?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. As you are taking a mortgage with National Westminster Bank 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 National Westminster Bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated National Westminster Bank. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Manchester on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. Can you recommend a specific firm on the National Westminster Bank approved panel?
We do not recommend specific firms as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
I am purchasing a terraced house and getting a mortgage with National Westminster Bank. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel in your location.
I have paid off my mortgage with National Westminster Bank. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the National Westminster Bank panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm
If you have finished paying off your National Westminster Bank mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the National Westminster Bank mortgage from the register. National Westminster Bank,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
but are not moving to another property
where the National Westminster Bank has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the National Westminster Bank has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your National Westminster Bank mortgage has been paid off.
Can I register a complaint to National Westminster Bank about the lawyers being on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to National Westminster Bank. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.
Planning on purchasing a house with a mortgage with National Westminster Bank. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel