RBS- First Active Conveyancing Panel Information

The Council of Mortgage Lenders, along with RBS- First Active and other lenders created a standard set of requirements where a solicitor is acting for a lender such as RBS- First Active alone in a residential conveyancing matter. These legal instructions are contained at Part III of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook and are to be followed in conjunction with Sections One and Two. The CML have published an example requirements letter to the borrower’s lawyer for adaptation by the lender's conveyancer, and sets out to the borrower's conveyancer, the documentary and information requirements of the lender's panel solicitor.

Lexsure only know of two or three lenders that operate a distinct conveyancing panel where the mortgage advance is over a certain threshold. You should nevertheless check directly with RBS- First Active. 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 RBS- First Active

There are many reports available, five of which are as follows:

• Disclosure/Notification to Lender analysis indicating frequency and nature of disclosures - to include benchmarking analysis against aggregate data
• Average time frame to send deeds to the lender (calculated from completion date or title registration)
• Number of conveyancing cases by lender
• The percentage of the firm’s business which is conveyancing (broken down into sale/purchase and remortgage)
• Analysis as to the nature of clients (e.g.existing/new/seen in person)

7 potential conveyancing clients attempt to locate a conveyancing practitioner on the RBS- First Active panel each month in Hendon. Feel free to contact the Lexsure team who will tell how your firm can be listed by those searching for conveyancing in Hendon.

In this situation please clarify on the application what action you have taken to find out the reasons behind cancellation of your RBS- First Active panel status. In particular please provide details if you have received communications from the lender. E.G. before cessation of your panel membership did you receive any letters or calls from the lender putting you on notice?

You should communicate with RBS- First Active to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook has an individual section for banks to set out who to contact to obtain standard documents. RBS- First Active in their Part 2’s state: You will need to quote your RBS- First Active conveyancing panel reference.