Deathly dull, sorry but time sensitive - Bank approved solicitor for buying house

[ImAvingOops]

So, DS is buying a house. Broker has recommended a mortgage but it turns out that the lender will only supply mortgage if a solicitor on their list is used. This means not being able to appoint a local (and cheaper) solicitor.
Its been a while since I bought a house - has anyone experienced this?
If he goes ahead with the banks recommended solicitor, will they be acting solely in DS best interests?

Sorry, I know this is a really boring thread but with interest rate changes, it's kind of urgent. The thing about the solicitor got sprung on him after the mortgage recommendation

Solicitors and conveyancers always act on behalf of the borrower and the bank - they wouldn't just act on your sons behalf they have to ensure the banks interest is protected too.

Yes this is always the case. Most mainstream/high street banks will deal with any solicitor that does conveyancing as a regular part of their work as they will be 'on the list' already. It's only when is more obscure lenders or solicitors that rarely do conveyancing that this is likely to cause an issue.

Thank you. I guess what I'm getting at is since he has to use a solicitor on their list if he wanted that particular bank offer, would they be as upfront with my son if they spotted a potential issue, than if they weren't linked in any way to the bank?
I kind of liked the idea of being able to choose a local, completely independent solicitor

This is with an online bank, not a high street one. The solicitor I wanted is experienced but not on this banks approved list. They seem to have a few that are on their list but none local. I feel they shouldn't be saying who DS solicitor is. Especially as they are more expensive

The bank's lawyer still has to act in your son's best interest. Ultimately they should have the same interest. The bank doesn't want to lend on a dodgy house and your son doesn't want to buy a dodgy house.

If the solicitor felt conflicted then they would be able to act.

They are independent. The bank's list will be massive and they are not recommending a solicitor. They just need one that they are satisfied is competent and qualified. The bank's interest and the buyers are, for the most part,the same.

I think I just want to know this is normal and not anything he has to stress about. I'm finding his house buying is making me anxious!

The list of approved solicitors who act for DS postcode isn't that big. Not that it really matters, I just felt more comfortable going with someone I knew and who had done work for us before. Lender is Atom bank.

I can't think of an issue that they would want to conceal from your son that would be in the banks interest

The buyer and the banks interests are usually very aligned. Both your son and the bank want to know that the house is legally available to be sold, that it isn't going to fall down, that the paperwork is in order etc

If something goes wrong for your son the bank risks not getting their money back

Thank you everyone for replying. I know this has to be the most boring thread ever

This is really common. If he has a solicitor in mind, just call them and ask them if they deal with that particular bank. If they don't, ask them how do they get on the list?

What is more important to your son, the solicitor or the mortgage provider? As pp said, an established conveyancer will already be on the list and it shouldn't be an issue

You didn't make us watch a video of paint drying... 😁

one actually does exist, it was on QI recently

I'm a conveyancing solicitor - totally normal all banks have a "panel" of solicitors that they allow to act for them (at the same time as acting for the borrower).

The high street banks tend to have massive panel lists, some online banks have more specific criteria to be allowed on (eg some banks require the firm to have a certain number of partners).

It won't affect how the solicitor deals with your son at all. Alternatively, he could ask the preferred local solicitor to check if they can apply to join Atom's panel if they are willing/meet their criteria? We've done this for a few banks at our firm before.

The mortgage offer is more important, it's just that the solicitor on the list is £500 more expensive than the local one.
Years ago I had a total mare trying to get my (miles away and recommended by the building society) solicitor to do anything, was always having to chase. Which is partly why I thought it would be good to have a local one. So at least if I did have to chase I could do it more easily.

I'll get him to give the local one a call tomorrow. If not possible I'll tell him that it's okay to go with the bank one.

Thank you all - much appreciated