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approved by Reliance
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Reliance list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Reliance Bank Ltd Conveyancing Panel
Examples of recent questions relating to the Reliance Bank Solicitor Panel
My fiance and I are hoping to buy a 2 bedroom apartment in Hackney with a mortgage from Reliance Bank. We would like to retain our lawyer but Reliance Bank says he's not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Reliance Bank panel solicitors or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; Can we not simply insist that Reliance Bank use our lawyer?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Reliance Bank conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Reliance Bank
My conveyancer has spotted a discrepancy between the information in Reliance Bank’s valuation report and what is in the conveyancing documents. My lawyer says that as he is on the Reliance Bank conveyancing panel he is obliged to ensure that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my solicitor’s approach legitimate?
A precondition to being on the Reliance Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Reliance Bank) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. 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.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Reliance Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Reliance Bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Reliance Bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Reliance Bank solicitor panel.
I am attempting to get my ex-wife removed the mortgage deeds. Can Reliance Bank really tell me which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but Reliance Bank 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 Reliance Bank solicitors panel
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Reliance Bank be concerned
As your lender is Reliance Bank your lawyer must to check the Reliance Bank conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Reliance Bank . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Reliance Bank where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
Can I register a complaint to Reliance Bank about the lawyers being on the Reliance Bank conveyancing panel?
Complaining to Reliance Bank about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. All solicitors and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this 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 addressed 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.
Reliance Bank 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 Reliance Bank or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Reliance Bank will tell you what documents they want. Reliance Bank 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. Reliance Bank 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.