We previously chose conveyancers based in Uckfield on the HSBC solicitor panel. They are now charging me a further amount for dealing with the HSBC mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by HSBC?

Provided it is contained in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitor can levy a fee for this. The fee is not dictated by HSBC but by your Uckfield conveyancer. Some firms on the HSBC panel will quote ’dealing with mortgage’ fee but some practices include it on their overall fee.

I am selling my house. I had a double glazing fitted in July 2010, but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My purchaser’s lender, Virgin Money are being difficult. The Uckfield solicitor who is on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel is saying indemnity insurance will be fine but Virgin Money are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do Virgin Money have a conveyancing panel if they don't accept advice from them?

It is probably the case that Virgin Money have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why Virgin Money may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing was correctly and safely installed. The indemnity insurance merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

I was told two weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by UBS. Is it usual for UBS to only issue the offer once my solicitor in Uckfield is approved on their conveyancing panel? UBS have asked my solicitor to see a copy of their Professional Indemnity Insurance Schedule.

A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for UBS to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the UBS conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to my property are lost. The solicitors who conducted the conveyancing in Uckfield 10 years ago have long since closed. Will I be able to sell the house?

You no longer need to have the physical original deeds to establish that you are the owner of your registered land or premises, given that the Land Registry hold details of all registered land or property electronically.

How do I use your search facility to choose a conveyancing solicitor in Uckfield on the approved list for my bank?

First choose a lender such as Lloyds TSB Bank, Barnsley Building Society or Britannia then type in your preferred area a common one being Uckfield. Conveyancing firms in Uckfield and nationally will then be identified.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Uckfield conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Uckfield conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you speak with several firms including non Uckfield conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be useful:

If they are not ALEP accredited then why not? What are the legal fees for lease extension conveyancing?

I own a garden flat in Uckfield, conveyancing having been completed December 2008. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Similar flats in Uckfield with an extended lease are worth £185,000. The ground rent is £65 invoiced every year. The lease finishes on 21st October 2085

You have 60 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £20,000 and £23,000 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information before getting professional advice.

Me and my husband are selling a Uckfield ground floor flat left to us seven years ago in 2011. I have over a decades worth of conveyancing experience and, now retired, intend to conduct my own legal work. The purchaser's conveyancer has informed me that their mortgage company will not allow us to do our own conveyancing insisting the funds to be sent to a solicitor's bank account.

Lending requirements to conveyancing practitioners from all CML members specify that If the vendor does not have legal representation the purchaser’s lawyers should check whether the bank needs to be notified so that a decision can be made as to whether they are prepared to progress.