Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified during conveyancing in Dover?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Dover. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

I'm buying my first flat in Dover benefiting from help to buy. The sellers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The property agent suggested that I not inform my solicitor about this side-deal as it may affect my mortgage with . 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.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one near me in Dover I like with open areas and transport links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Dover in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be problematic. Reduce the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current proprietor has owned the premises for at least 2 years you could request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.

Am I best advised to choose a Dover conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can handle the legal formalities however they are based 400miles away.

The primary upside of using a local Dover conveyancing practice is that you can attend the office to sign paperwork, present your ID and pester them if necessary. Having local Dover know how is a bonus. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust instructed your friend and in the main were content that must trump using an unknown Dover conveyancing lawyer just because they are based in the area.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Dover - Sample of Queries Prior to buying

For many Dover leaseholds the outlay for major works tend not to be included within service charges, albeit that there some managing agents in Dover obliged leasehold owners to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific purpose of building a fund for major works. Make sure you enquire if there are any onerous prohibitions in the lease. By way of example some leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Dover. If you love the propertyin Dover but your cat can’t move with you then you will be presented with a difficult choice.