Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
Aviva Equity Release Solicitor Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Do Aviva Equity Release or the Council of Mortgage Lenders run professional training seminars for the
Aviva Equity Release approved solicitor panel in the same way that CQS run CPD Courses for accredited firms?
No such training is arranged by the CML however they do organise a number of useful conveyancing related conferences which are attended by firms on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Lexsure intend to run specific lender focused seminars in the near future including a webinar on Aviva Equity Release’s Part 2 obligations. Law firms on the Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel will be invited. Further details will be communicated as part of the LENDERmonitor P2 change Notifications.
Am I obliged,
being on the
Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel, to carry out a LMO4 search?
Aviva Equity Release make no specific obligation to carry out any of
the searches listed. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook simply states that ‘you must
ensure that any other searches which may be appropriate to the
particular property, taking into account its locality and other
features are carried out’.
Please note that most ‘less usual searches’ (as described in the Law Society’s Conveyancing Handbook) are not optional as far as Aviva Equity Release are concerned if they are ‘appropriate’. Most lenders will not require environmental searches (you should Check Part 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook to be sure), but you are obliged to explain risks and availability to the borrower.
Ground stability, Plansearch,flood searches as well as the searches listed in the question are optional – but only to the extent that you have allowed the borrower client to make an informed choice. Regardless of whether there is a mortgage, If you have not advised the client that these (and other) searches are available and what risks they cover, then you will be liable if the client suffers loss through not conducting one. Is this covered within your Terms of Engagement or Report on Title?
One search supplier lists over 70 conveyancing searches – do you know what all of them are and when they may be relevant? If you are unsure as to which searches are appropriate based on location contact your search provider or call one of the leading search companies such as Searches UK.
My client is buying a property for £700,000 in Leeds with a mortgage over GBP 500k.
I am on the
Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel but do Aviva Equity Release have a separate approved panel when a mortgage is above 400,000?
Lexsure only know of two or three lenders that operate a distinct approved solicitors panel where the mortgage advance is over a certain amount.
You should nevertheless check directly with
Aviva Equity Release. At one stage HSBC would only allow Sole
practitioners to act for them where the mortgage was below
£150,000. We are not sure if HSBC still operate such a condition. In
your case it is best to check with Aviva Equity Release
Does my firm run the risk of suspension off the
Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel if I have not sent the title deed on a purchase within a certain time frame from draw-down of funds?
One might ordinarily expect
Aviva Equity Release via their Part Two requirements to address this but the Handbook is silent on time frames. You need to look at the Terms of
Aviva Equity Release’s Conveyancing Panel Appointment that you entered into. For many lender's these Terms contain a clause such as:
‘To keep us informed of the reasons for any delay in your being able to send the title deeds and documents we require to us within 3 months of completion or evidence of proof of registration within that period. (We will send reminders if the deeds have not been received but will not acknowledge receipt of deeds’ It is important to keep
Aviva Equity Release updated.
Law firms can often compound their problems by not communicating with the lender when there is a delay or problem.
My lawyers pass me the odd LENDERmonitor notification but I don't see that many important changes. For example, My firm on the
Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel and get an alerts simply telling me a change of address. Why is that of any relevance?
It is important that you take note of such changes because sending a communication or deeds to the wrong address can cause delays that might not only affect your borrower client but also affect your ability to remain on the
Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel. Is possible next month that Aviva Equity Release change their requirements as to where the post completion documents should be sent.
Do you change the details in your case management system? Do you make a note? Is this information passed on to secretaries and assistants? By virtue of your COT Aviva Equity Release you are giving assurances that you will send the deeds within 10 days of receiving the TID. Putting to one side the academic question as to whether you are in breach of an undertaking in sending it to the wrong address, you run the risk of
Aviva Equity Release suspending you off the panel because they are not receiving the deeds in accordance with the COT. It will not be a valid excuse to say that you sent it to an address that is no longer valid.
My firm has just been advised that it’s Aviva Equity Release panel membership revoked but we have not yet been given an explanation yet.
I am completing a CQS renewal form what details must I disclose?
In the circumstances please clarify on the application what steps you have taken to discover the reasons behind cancellation of your
Aviva Equity Release panel membership.
In particular please provide details if you have received communications from the lender. E.G. before revocation of your panel membership did you receive any letters or calls from the lender putting you on notice?
My firm is listed on the
Aviva Equity Release
conveyancing panel and all set to complete a remortgage within the next week. My papers do not include a Legal Charge for the client to sign.
Who do I contact at Aviva Equity Release to obtain duplicate documents?
You need to contact Aviva Equity Release
to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook contains a specific question for lenders to establish who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Aviva Equity Release in their Part 2’s state:
You will need to quote the firm’s Aviva Equity Release conveyancing panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Aviva Equity Release Solicitor Panel
powered by LenderPanel
Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Aviva Equity Release
This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.
| Year | Days* |
|---|---|
| 2026 | [no data] |
| 2025 | [no data] |
| 2024 | [no data] |
| 2023 | [no data] |
| 2022 | [no data] |
| 2021 | [no data] |
* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor
Other related topics:
- CQS policy templates and procedures for accredited Aviva Equity Release Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Aviva Equity Release borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Aviva Equity Release panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Aviva Equity Release lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Aviva Equity Release
- Consent-to-Let help for Aviva Equity Release
- Contractor Mortgages with Aviva Equity Release
