Name on mortgage & house deeds

[little thai]

We want to put my name on our house deeds. My partner has a small mortgage & the lender insists that I am put onto the mortgage. This isn't the problem though. What we need to know is can we sort this out ourselves. The bank says it has to be handled by a solicitor & ours wants �150 to put my name on. Are we obligated to use a solicitor or can we legally liaise with the bank without one?

[MustafaTickl]

Unfortunately with a mortgage you will have to do as the lender says and go through a solicitor. There are legal reasons for this which I will not list but are to ensure that no-one takes unfair advantage of the lender. Deeds have been done away with for years now and it is the entry on the computer Register at the Land Registry which counts now - presumably you have decided whether you wish to be joint tenants or tenants in common. Some lenders will insist that you additionally have a separate solicitor - if so (also for sound legal reasons) this must be accepted. Don't overlook the fact that some of these transactions give rise to a charge to SDLT - you can check by phoning 0845 6030135. �150 is a bargain, most charge �350 - �850 +VAT +disbursements + another solicitor if insisted upon.