Pepper Money Conveyancing Panel Information

Pepper Money 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 Pepper Money 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. Does your ROT and Ts and Cs cover this?

One search provider lists over 72 property 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 call your search provider or call one of the leading search companies such as Searches UK.

Although not necessarily published, lenders have varying criteria . We do not hold specific requirements relating to the questions raised as part of the application to be on the Pepper Money conveyancing panel. Typically lenders need to have full knowledge of a firm including (but not limited to):

Automated alerting to inform lenders when there is a fundamental change to the firm (e.g. change of ownership)

List of all those who can sign off the Certificate Of Title

Whether the firm has ever knowingly accepted instructions on transactions involving Sale and Rent Back, Back to Back, Exchange and Delayed Completion and Lease Option, Below Market Value.

PII Cover details, including, if relevant, whether the firm is or has been in the assigned risks pool and structure of cover – basic

List of all those staff who work within the conveyancing team

Areas of Law covered by the firm

Full career history for each solicitor including admission date to the relevant Law Society

Full disciplinary history for each licensed conveyancer

Full disciplinary history for each conveyancing solicitor

Full career history for each licensed conveyancer including registration date with Council of Licensed Conveyancers

For most lenders participation on the lender's panel of conveyancers is at the absolute discretion of the the lender. Many lenders reserve the right to accept or reject any application without giving any reason. You should check your original application to join the Pepper Money conveyancing panel to see if you are entitled to a reason.

With banks and conveyancing firms working so closely together it is surprising that there has not been much call for the introduction of a bit of transparency regarding not just the figures for the Pepper Money conveyancing panel but for all lender panel listings

Your insurance brokers are your best port of call to address this question. The chances are that on the basis that you have not been removed for fraud or negligence reasons that there will be little or no impact. The main reason why a firm would be removed off of a lender panel is due to low volume of conveyancing cases although there may be a number of criteria for Pepper Money solicitor panel membership. Please remember that it is always important that you complete your insurance forms accurately.

You need to contact Pepper Money to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook has an individual question for lenders to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents. Pepper Money in their Part 2’s state: It helps to disclose the firm’s Pepper Money conveyancing panel number.