I sincerely hope you can assist me. My Gipsy Hill conveyancer is informing me me that he is legally obliged toapply for Gipsy Hill conveyancing searches becausethe firm are on the Virgin Moneysolicitor panel. These Gipsy Hill searches cost a lot of money can this be avoided?

You have limited options available to you. As you are taking a home loan with a lender your has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to comply with the CML Handbook specifications . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Gipsy Hill conveyancing searches.

What will a local search reveal about the house my wife and I buying in Gipsy Hill?

Gipsy Hill conveyancing often commences with the submitting local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations for example PSG The local search is essential in every Gipsy Hill conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any nasty surprises after you move into your property. The search will provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic sections.

I am purchasing my first flat in Gipsy Hill with the aid of help to buy. The developers refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The property agent advised me not reveal to my lawyer about the side-deal as it would put at risk my mortgage with . Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer 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 £235,500 and identified one round the corner in Gipsy Hill I like with open areas and station nearby, the downside is that it's only got 49 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Gipsy Hill for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?

If you require a mortgage the shortness of the lease will be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current owner has owned the property for a minimum of twenty four months you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

I note that you have a post code search directory listing solicitors on the lender conveyancing panel. Do Gipsy Hill conveyancing firms pay you a commission if I retain them for my own house purchase?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the lender conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Gipsy Hill.