Searching for the Kensington Mortgages conveyancing panel? Before choosing a solicitor for a purchase or remortgage, establish whether the firm can act for both you and Kensington on the proposed transaction.
There is an important distinction: Kensington’s published guidance says it does not operate a solicitor panel. Instead, it sets requirements for the solicitors who can represent it. The practical question is therefore whether your chosen firm meets those requirements and can accept the lender’s instructions.
Use the Kensington Mortgages conveyancing solicitor search on LENDERmonitor as a starting point, then obtain direct confirmation from the firm before instructing it or paying money on account.
Kensington Mortgages, not Kensington Building Society
Kensington and Kensington Mortgages are trading names of Kensington Mortgage Company Limited. The lender should not be described as Kensington Building Society.
Using the correct name helps borrowers identify the relevant lender and avoids confusion when requesting a quotation or checking whether a solicitor can act.
Does Kensington have a conveyancing panel?
Kensington’s own solicitor guidance states: “We don’t have a solicitor panel.” For England and Wales, its published requirements include:
- Registration with The Law Society.
- Membership of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).
- A minimum of three SRA-approved managers, partners or principals in private practice, using the categories stated in its guidance.
These requirements should be checked against Kensington’s current instructions for the particular transaction. CQS accreditation alone should not be treated as sufficient confirmation that the firm can act.
The phrase “Kensington conveyancing panel” is commonly used in searches and directories. It should not obscure the lender’s stated approach to solicitor eligibility.
How to check whether your solicitor can act for Kensington
- Identify suitable firms. Search the Kensington page on LENDERmonitor by postcode or town.
- Explain the transaction. Tell the firm whether you are purchasing, remortgaging or undertaking another transaction, and identify the borrower and property details.
- Ask about Kensington specifically. Obtain written confirmation that the firm meets Kensington’s current requirements and can act for both you and the lender.
- Confirm the office and fees. Check which office will handle the work and obtain a quotation identifying the legal fee, VAT, disbursements and possible additional charges.
A firm having acted for you previously, or being able to act for another mortgage lender, does not establish that it can handle the Kensington mortgage you are arranging now.
Our wider guide to checking whether a solicitor can act for your mortgage lender explains why confirmation should be obtained early. Kensington’s eligibility-based approach should be distinguished from conventional panel membership.
What does the LENDERmonitor search establish?
The linked page is an independent directory search for firms listed as working with Kensington mortgage instructions. It is a starting point for identifying and contacting firms, rather than a lender-issued confirmation that a particular solicitor can accept your matter.
Absence from the directory does not, by itself, establish that a firm is ineligible. Equally, appearing in the results does not replace checking the firm’s current position and its ability to act on your particular transaction.
What if your chosen solicitor cannot act?
Ask the firm to explain the position before substantial work or expenditure accumulates. You may need to instruct a different solicitor who can represent both you and Kensington.
If separate representation is suggested, establish directly whether Kensington will accept it for your case, who will undertake the lender’s work, what additional costs arise and how the arrangement affects the timetable.
Do not assume that a conventional panel application will resolve the problem, given Kensington’s published approach. Nor should you plan exchange or completion around an unconfirmed representation arrangement.
Conveyancing firms must also follow the mortgage instructions
Eligibility to act is only the starting point. The conveyancer must review the applicable lender instructions, mortgage offer, special conditions and any case-specific correspondence.
Kensington’s published solicitor guidance says it must receive the Certificate of Title at least five working days before legal completion and warns that timely release of funds cannot be guaranteed if that timescale is missed. Firms should check the current submission requirements and allow sufficient time in the transaction plan.
Our earlier article on Kensington’s conditional acceptance of personal searches illustrates why the complete wording of a lender instruction matters. That article discusses a historical change and should not be relied upon as a statement of the lender’s current search requirements.
England and Wales. Lender guidance checked on 9 October 2026. Requirements may change and should be verified for the proposed transaction.