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You can use the search function to find a range of UK Finance material, from consultation responses to thought leadership to blogs, or to find content on a range of topics from Brexit to commercial finance.
The FAQs in this section are specifically designed for solicitors and conveyancers. Use the keyword search below to find questions related to that word(s).
The Handbook is only available on our website. We do not produce printed copies.
We do not currently have previous versions available but you can access a summary of amendments. We aim to make newer amendments available in the future.
Part 2s are maintained online by lenders themselves. We do not keep copies of these once they are removed from the website. We recommend you contact the lender direct.
If you are a conveyancer and you have a query about the instructions in the Handbook you should raise it with your instructing lender. If you would like UK Finance to consider amending the Handbook you should contact your professional body and ask them to approach us. We review the Handbook periodically and always consult relevant professional bodies before introducing any amendments.
Please contact the lender direct for instructions.
The instructions to use are contained at Part 3 of the Handbook and are to be read in conjunction with Parts 1 and 2. An example requirements letter to the borrower's conveyancer has also been developed for use and adaptation by lender's conveyancer.
The letter is designed to support the separate representation transaction process by setting out to the borrower's conveyancer, the documentary and information requirements of the lender's conveyancer. As separate representation transactions are not typical in residential conveyancing transactions, the letter is designed to help ensure that both borrower and lender conveyancers understand their own responsibilities and facilitate as efficient a transaction as possible. The letter is in example format only and may be adapted for use by the lender and lender's conveyancer as appropriate.
The letter can be downloaded here.
Part 3 has been developed for England and Wales.
There are products that allow you to verify a person's identity electronically. You should check with your professional body that these products comply with your professional body's rules on money laundering and your duties under statutory money laundering requirements.
The changes will not alter the requirements set out in paragraph 14.1.1 of the Handbook which require the conveyancer to register the mortgage as a first legal charge at the Land Registry. Lenders do not regard the retainer as being complied with until this is achieved.
In 1992, a legacy organisation of UK Finance (the CML) and the Law Society for England and Wales produced joint guidance on mortgage redemption statements. If you believe that a lender is not acting in accordance with the guidance you should consider making a complaint to the lender direct. UK Finance cannot investigate complaints against lenders.
No for the purposes of the Help to Buy ISA scheme, there is no need for a solicitor or conveyancer to report the use of the bonus under the scheme to the lender, as the lender will treat the bonus as coming from the borrower’s own funds.
These can be found in section 5.20 of the Handbook for England and Wales and 5.14 of the Handbook for Northern Ireland. At present there is no guidance for Scotland.
The general requirements of lenders can be found in section 5.14 of the Handbook for England and Wales. Lenders use 5.14.1 to set out in detail the length of lease they will accept and 5.14.9 to set out any conditions (for example on ground rent) that they will not accept.
Lenders' requirements regarding newly built, converted and renovated homes in section 6.7 of the Handbook.
UK Finance does not have a set definition of a converted property. However, barn conversions and changing a single property into multiple units or vice versa would be considered conversions. Renovated properties in this context refers to properties that have been structurally altered rather than those with cosmetic changes
There is no central list of ‘acceptable’ warranty providers. It is up to individual lenders to decide whether to accept a warranty from a particular provider based on their own assessment. Individual lenders set out which warranty provider they accept in section 6.7.1 of the Handbooks for England and Wales, and Scotland, and section 6.6.1 in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Many lenders will only instruct conveyancers or firms that are on their conveyancing panels. UK Finance does not maintain a central conveyancing panel for lenders. If you want to be admitted onto a lender's conveyancing panel you must contact the lender direct.
UK Finance is not a regulator and therefore cannot advise on or investigate complaints against lenders.