Are you buying a house and planning taking a new mortgage with HSBC?

Following on from my earlier post, I am pleased to report that HSBC have today issued a press release which makes changes to their panel arrangements.

As a result firms who hold the Law Society's 'Conveyancing Quality Standard' (CQs) accreditation will be able to act for both buyer and the bank.

This means these firms will act for both buyer and HSBC in the same way they did prior to the changes earlier this year. Firms who do not however hold this accreditation are not permitted to act for HSBC and their clients will be obliged to suffer the delays which separate representation has been shown to cause, and the additional costs if they use them. This will apply to new cases from at least 1 August 2012.

Wards hold the Law Society's CQS accreditation and Lexcel its practice standards accreditation. As a member of the CQS, we meet the high standards the Law Society sets to ensure that we give clients a professional and quality conveyancing service.

For more information: E susan.ellis@wards.uk.com