TSB Conveyancing Panel Information

The Scottish Law Society has suggested that solicitors should check their panel status with lenders prior to accepting client instructions to act. The advice is lender-agnostic as it does not relate specifically to solicitors on the TSB conveyancing panel. The recommendation arises from the practice of a number of mortgage lenders who remove solicitors from their panels without prior notice as part of their panel management system, which can lead to some solicitors discovering this only once instructed. This is sensible advice as a client finding out midway through a transaction that their lawyer is not on the approved lender panel is very frustrating and can lead to complaints. Many online consumer forums contain posts where someone is complaining about finding that their lawyer is not on a lender conveyancing panel. Such forums include mumsnet.com

The majority of lenders do not operate a specific buy to let conveyancing panel but we are hearing about a few that do. We do not know what the position is with TSB as at todays date. If you're about to receive instructions from a client on a buy to let purchase with a mortgage from TSB we suggest that you call TSB to check the position.

The key here is the caveat ‘more onerous’. You have to try and take an objective view as to whether the Terms relating to the TSB conveyancing appointment (or other terms for other lenders) are ‘more onerous’ than the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Conditions. Depending on the Terms you may need to provide details on your renewal form. If you are in any doubt please call your broker to discuss before completing the answer.

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 TSB conveyancing panel to see if you are entitled to a reason.

In the circumstances please explain on the form what action you have taken to find out the reasons behind cancellation of your TSB panel membership. 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 advising you as to their reasons?

You should get in touch with TSB to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook incorporates an express question for banks to set out who to contact to obtain standard documents. TSB in their Part 2’s state: Please remember to disclose the firm’s TSB conveyancing panel number.