As Mortgage Introducer said yesterday, Woolwich is giving a £300 cashback option for those advisers and clients wishing to use their own solicitors rather than its ‘free legal’ offering.
Conveyancing Alliance had already created a £300 cashback option in anticipation of such products. By abstaining from ‘free legals’ and choosing Conveyancing Alliance’s ‘Rapid Remo’ conveyancing product advisers not only earn an additional £135 but they also guarantee their client/broker fee. Most ‘free legal’ offers make no provision for the deduction and payment of the broker’s fee. Conveyancing Alliance has a built-in ‘broker fee guarantee’ on its ‘Rapid Remo’ which is particularly relevant given advisers are increasingly reliant on client fees that are payable at completion.
Conveyancing Alliance has repeatedly urged advisers not to take up the ‘free legal’ offerings which it believes do not always treat customers fairly given the poor value and the lack of client representation.
Harpal Singh, managing director of Conveyancing Alliance Ltd, commented: “We believe this is a significant moment in the world of remortgage conveyancing. We now have a lender in Woolwich which has recognised that ‘free legal’ arrangements are not for every client remortgage and not ideal for fee-charging advisers.
“Conveyancing Alliance has long campaigned on this very issue and urged advisers to consider the cashback where offered, and use this money to pay for our quality, client-focused conveyancing. By opting for the £300 Woolwich cashback and using our ‘Rapid Remo’ product, advisers can earn themselves a £135 referral fee plus they will not miss out on outstanding client fees being paid at completion.
“We believe this is a unique opportunity for brokers to benefit immediately given that our system has already factored in the £300 cashback. Hopefully, Woolwich will be the first of many lenders to move down this route and we certainly applaud Woolwich for not just recognising the issue but providing a solution for those who want to use their own conveyancer.”
