As a residential property specialist, I am accustomed to being the ‘poor relation’ in a law firm. As every week goes by, the administrative burden increases; client and estate agents’ demands become ever more ambitious and unrealistic; and downward pressure on fees continues.

As if life were not complicated enough, following my firm’s conversion to LLP status last year I wrote to our panel lenders notifying them of the change in status. One mainstream lender submitted an application form to me which was duly completed and returned last December along with the required documentation. In March this year, I was contacted by the same lender as they had no record of the form (and supporting documentation) being returned. Further copies were sent immediately.

A fortnight later the lender struck my firm off their panel without notice. To add insult to injury, they did so a week before a completion was due to take place for one of our clients with a mortgage advance from the lender in question.

Accordingly, a third set of papers was hurriedly prepared (copies were unacceptable) and sent to the lender a week before completion. Furious and frequent telephone conversations ensued. It soon became apparent that these had been ‘lost’ too.

As a last resort, I drove to the head office to hand deliver a fourth set of papers, so as to guarantee our reinstatement. This was the only way that I could ensure the paperwork was handed to the right person and that our clients would be able to complete. I waited in reception until our reinstatement was effected. Five hours and 150 miles later, and we were back on the panel.

To compound matters, the representative that I spoke to conceded that they are being ‘difficult’ to try to reduce the numbers on their panel. I am still waiting for the manager to return my telephone calls of complaint.

In the light of recent articles in the Gazette about building society mergers and panel changes, perhaps the Law Society could stand up on our behalf to those lenders that seem to be bound by the most ridiculous set of rules, and intent upon making our lives even more difficult than they already are.

Melanie Carroll, Mullis & Peake, Romford