I have been told by my lawyer that absentee landlord insurance is required on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in West Sussex?

The right level of absentee landlord indemnity insurance should be dictated by who your lender. It would differ for example between Barclays and Bank of Scotland. Conveyancing lawyers as opposed to members of the public take out such insurances.

I am purchasing a property in West Sussex. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Skipton have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

As your lender is Skipton your lawyer must comply with the formal requirements set out in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Skipton. The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook includes minimum provisions for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Skipton where a lease does not satisfy these conditions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties countrywide and is not limited to West Sussex.

It is unclear whether my lender obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have called into my local West Sussex bank branch on a couple of occasions and was told they are content with the situation and they would lend. My West Sussex conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- called to say that they refuse to lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I have no idea who is right.

Your lawyer must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook Part 2 requirements for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the lender to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.

Will commercial conveyancing searches reveal impending roadworks that may impact a commercial site in West Sussex?

Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in West Sussex will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers spend in looking into accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in West Sussex. The search result sets out definitive data on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in West Sussex.

For every commercial conveyancing transaction in West Sussex it is critical to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been addressed adequately can cause delays to West Sussex commercial conveyancing deals as well as present a risk to future intentions for the site. These searches are not carried out for domestic conveyancing in West Sussex.

I am selling my home. My former conveyancers have shut. I would be grateful for any recommendation of a conveyancing firm. Im based in West Sussex if that makes a difference.

Do use our search tool to help you choose a solicitor for your conveyancing in West Sussex. We have connected thousands of home buyers and sellers with lender approved solicitors to ensure that the legalities of their house move goes with a minimum of fuss.

Jane (my partner) and I may need to sub-let our West Sussex garden flat for a while due to a career opportunity. We instructed a West Sussex conveyancing firm in 2003 but they have closed and we did not have the foresight to get any guidance as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

Some leases for properties in West Sussex do contain a provision to say that subletting is only permitted with prior consent from the landlord. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience dictates that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting permission.

I own a split level flat in West Sussex, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. How much will my lease extension cost? Equivalent flats in West Sussex with over 90 years remaining are worth £180,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 per annum. The lease finishes on 21st October 2082

With only 58 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £22,800 and £26,400 as well as costs.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

How does one as executor remove a deceased person's details from the title register for a house in West Sussex?

If a West Sussex property is jointly owned and one of the proprietors dies, their name will not immediately be removed from the title deeds. It is not necessary to amend the title as in the event of a sale your conveyancer would just be required to evidence why the other owner is not included in the transfer, typically this is in the form of the probate documents.

With a view to making things more straight forward for the sale of the property you can arrange to have the deceased party removed from the title by submitting an application to HM Land Registry with evidence of the death. There is no land registry fee payable.