I am close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our house in Calcot and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a possibility that the property was built land that was not decontaminated. A high street Calcot lawyer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the buyers used an internet conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Calcot. We have lived in Calcot for six years we know that this is a non issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to obtain clarification need.

It would appear that you have a conveyancing lawyer already. What do they say? You need to enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same sickness)

I am purchasing a new build house in Calcot with a mortgage from . The developers refused to move on the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The property agent advised me not disclose to my solicitor about this side-deal as it would put at risk my loan with the lender. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one near me in Calcot I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it only has 51 years on the lease. There is not much else in Calcot for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.

I was pointed in your direction by numerous selling agents in Calcot to find a conveyancer on your site. What’s the financial inducement for Estate Agents to offer your services over and above a competitor’s?

We refuse to offer any commission for directing people our way. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission as home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Calcot. Before diving in I would like to find out the number of years remaining on the lease.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and most are in Calcot - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

Calcot Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

How is the lease structured? You will want to discover as much as possible about the company managing the building as they will either make your living at the property much simpler or uncomfortable. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to daily matters like the upkeep of the communal areas. Don't be shy to ask other tenants if they are happy with their service. On a final note, be sure you know the dates that the service charges are due to the appropriate party and precisely what you get for your money.