My mortgage broker has requested my West Sussex lawyer’ panel member for the HSBC conveyancing panel. How do I discover this. I have tried my local West Sussex office but they don't know it.

You are best placed to get this information from your West Sussex conveyancing practitioner . Most West Sussex law firms will retain a file or database of lender panel information which would include, if applicable, their conveyancing panel details for each bank.

I have an AIP. The bank mentioned the home loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to appoint their panel lawyer as I would prefer to appoint a local conveyancing solicitor in West Sussex?

You should check but the the likelihood is that appoint one of their panel conveyancers where you accept the "fee-free" deal. Speak to the lender to explore if they make available a cash alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor in West Sussex.

I'm converting the mortgage on my current house to a buy to let loan with Lloyds TSB Bank and intend to use the remaining equity towards a second house. The area we are looking at is West Sussex. Will your lawyers be able to act for the two banks and link together the transactions?

Make use of our search tool on this site to ensure that the lawyers are approved by both mortgage companies. Having checked that they are the lawyer should be able to tie up the two transactions but you should talk with you solicitor and make apparent your expectations and needs.

My partner has suggested that I instruct his conveyancers in West Sussex. Should I choose my own property lawyer?

There are no two ways about it the best way to find a conveyancing practitioner is to get guidance from friends or family who have used the firm that you are contemplating using.

We own a leasehold flat in West Sussex. Conveyancing was finalised in last year. I have heard that I should not allow the the remaining lease term to fall too low. Is this correct?

West Sussex residential long term leases are for a set term - often just under one hundred years when they started. However many appartments in West Sussex were constructed or converted 20 or more years ago and so such leases now have under eighty years unexpired. That may seem like plenty of time but Banks, Building Societies and other mortgage lenders tend to need leases to have a minimum of seventy five years remaining to be mortgageable. This means that when you come to sell the property you will need a lease extension if you are nearing 75 years. To increase your property value you should be considering whether or not to extend your lease long before you come to sell it. Please note that there are strong financial reasons to doing so before the lease reaches even eighty years as when the lease falls below eighty years the amount you have to pay to extend starts to escalate.