Lenders mark solicitors' cards on contaminated land

The 'significant increase' in the number of environmental reports sent to lenders by solicitors after the Law Society's warning card on contaminated land has led lenders to say they do not want to receive them.The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said such reports have insufficient detail to aid lenders' decisions.The warning card, issued in June, said that in every transaction, solicitors must consider whether contaminated land is an issue - but not necessarily obtain a report.

The CML - which is keeping the issue under review - said solicitors should still commission a report for borrower clients if appropriate, and send on any specialist consultant's report commissioned because of contamination concerns.Neil Gower, secretary of the Law Society's conveyancing and land law committee, said it is 'helpful to get clarification of the lenders' position'.

Solicitors must discuss the need for a report with borrower clients.Neil Rose