Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Vernon Building Society Offers Free Legals on Selected Remortgage Products

Vernon Building Society has introduced a free legals service for new remortgage customers on selected products. The service is being delivered through a new partnership with conveyancing panel management business Optimus.

The initiative is primarily focused on prime residential lending up to 80% loan to value (LTV) and later life products. Under the new arrangement, customers will have direct contact with their assigned solicitor, as well as support from Optimus’ dedicated team.

Vernon Building Society has outsourced panel management and due diligence to Optimus, which will oversee a dedicated panel of conveyancing firms and provide ongoing performance monitoring and reporting. The society stated that this approach is intended to ensure customers continue to receive a personal service from their solicitor, while also supporting faster and more efficient processing.

The new proposition is designed to help Vernon Building Society compete for a greater share of the remortgage market, supporting brokers with faster completion times and a more competitive offer. The society is also making technology-based upgrades, including a partnership with FintechOS announced in April, aimed at modernising its mortgage lending capabilities and improving the user experience for members, brokers, and colleagues.

This development may be of interest to UK letting agents and inventory clerks, as streamlined remortgage processes and improved conveyancing services can impact transaction timelines and property management workflows.