HSBC Conveyancing Panel : Questions and Answers
from members of the public
I was advised recently by my financial adviser that my solicitor is not on the HSBC Conveyancing panel. How can I be sure that this is correct?
You need to contact your lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the the approved HSBC solicitor panel.
I am purchasing a brand new apartment and my lawyer is advising me that she has to disclose incentives from the seller as her firm is on the HSBC conveyancing panel. I am on a tight deadline to sign contracts and I have no desire to prolong the conveyancing. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the HSBC approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on HSBC). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your directory have online case tracking as I was under the impression that this was a precondition of being on the HSBC solicitor panel?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders or BSA do not require online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
I am trying to get my ex-wife taken off the mortgage deeds. Can HSBC really insist on which solicitor I can or can not use?
You can use any solicitor you like but HSBC then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the HSBC solicitors panel
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from HSBC as we wish to carry out alterations or improvements our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the HSBC conveyancing panel to deal with the paperwork?
HSBC do not ordinarily instruct firms on their conveyancing panel to deal with such a matter. If they did require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the HSBC list
I currently have a mortgage with with HSBC. Conveyancing was finalised 12 months ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform HSBC?
Your original mortgage agreement with HSBC will provide that you need their approval before letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of HSBC’s mortgage conditions. In many cases banks or building societies will permit you to let out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact HSBC directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a HSBC conveyancing panel solicitor.
HSBC have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up HSBC or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. HSBC will tell you what documents they want. HSBC will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. HSBC will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.