My Solicitor Has Not Received My Mortgage Offer: What To Do
If your solicitor says they have not received your mortgage offer, the first thing to know is that this is common and usually easy to fix. Your lender sends the formal offer to two places: to you (or your broker), and separately to the solicitor acting on the purchase.
Those two copies do not always arrive at the same time, and occasionally the solicitor's copy is delayed, sent to the wrong firm, or held up because the lender does not yet have the right conveyancer details on file. A few phone calls almost always resolves it.
At a glance
- Who sends the offer
- Your lender
- Who they send it to
- You and your solicitor
- Common cause of delay
- Wrong solicitor details on file
- First step
- Confirm your solicitor is on the lender's panel
Key Takeaways
- The lender sends the offer, not you — it goes directly to your solicitor as well as to you, so you cannot simply forward your own copy in most cases.
- Wrong or missing solicitor details are the usual culprit — if the lender does not hold your conveyancer's correct details, the offer never reaches them.
- Your solicitor must be on the lender's panel — if they are not, the lender will not release the offer to them, which delays everything.
- Chase both sides in parallel — call your broker or lender to confirm the offer was issued and to whom, and ask your solicitor to check their post and case system.
Who Actually Sends The Mortgage Offer
Once your application is approved and the valuation is satisfactory, the lender produces a formal mortgage offer. It is issued to more than one party:
- To you or your mortgage broker — this is the copy you read and check.
- To your solicitor or conveyancer — this is the copy they need to prepare the legal side of the purchase and, eventually, to request your mortgage funds.
Because these are sent separately, it is entirely possible for you to have your offer in hand while your solicitor is still waiting. It does not mean anything has gone wrong with your mortgage.
For context on this stage, see what happens after a mortgage offer and how long after valuation to mortgage offer.
Why The Solicitor's Copy Gets Delayed
There are a handful of usual explanations.
The lender has the wrong solicitor details
If you changed conveyancer, or the lender recorded the firm's name or address incorrectly, the offer may have gone nowhere useful. This is the single most common cause.
Your solicitor is not on the lender's panel
Most lenders will only deal with solicitors on their approved panel. If your firm is not on it, the lender will not send them the offer, and either your firm needs to apply to join or a panel firm must be appointed. This is worth checking early.
Timing
The offer to the solicitor can simply lag a day or two behind your copy, especially if it goes by post rather than through the lender's online system.
It went to the wrong branch or department
Large conveyancing firms have multiple offices and reference numbers. An offer can sit unallocated if the case reference is missing.
How To Chase It, Step By Step
Work both ends at once rather than waiting.
- Confirm the offer exists. Ask your broker, or call the lender, to confirm the formal offer has been issued and the date it went out.
- Check who it was sent to. Ask the lender exactly which solicitor firm and address they used, and quote it back to your solicitor.
- Verify the panel. Ask your solicitor whether they are on that lender's panel. If not, this needs sorting quickly.
- Give your solicitor the reference. Provide your mortgage account or application reference so they can match the offer to your file.
- Ask for a re-issue. If the details were wrong, ask the lender to re-send the offer to the correct firm — this is usually quick once the right address is confirmed.
Keep a short written record of who you spoke to and when. If you are in a chain, a stalled offer can hold up your exchange of contracts, so momentum matters.
Keep Your Finances Steady While You Wait
An offer can technically be reviewed or withdrawn if your circumstances change before completion, so avoid anything that alters your credit profile while you wait — no new borrowing, no missed payments, no large unexplained transactions. Our guide to using a credit card after a mortgage offer explains why lenders can re-check.
- All four agencies — in one report — Experian, Equifax, TransUnion & Crediva
- Spot the errors — and old debts that quietly get applications declined
- It's a soft search — so checking never leaves a mark on your file
- See what lenders see — the same information banks pull when they assess you
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just forward my own copy of the offer to my solicitor?
Sometimes it helps them get started, but most lenders require their own official copy to reach the solicitor directly before funds can be requested. Use your copy to confirm details, but push the lender to send the solicitor's copy.
How long should the solicitor's copy take?
Often the same day through the lender's online portal, or a couple of days by post. If it has been more than a few days after you received yours, start chasing.
What if my solicitor is not on the lender's panel?
Either your firm applies to join the lender's panel, or a separate panel solicitor is appointed to act for the lender. Sort this early, as it is a frequent cause of delay.
Does a delayed offer mean my mortgage is at risk?
Not usually. A delay in the solicitor receiving their copy is administrative and separate from whether your mortgage is approved. Confirm with your lender that the offer was actually issued.
General information only, not financial advice. Lender and conveyancing processes vary — check the specifics with your own lender, broker and solicitor.
