We were just about to exchange contracts for a garden flat in Newham. We have hit a snag. Our loan offer with expires on but the sellers are suggesting a completion date of . Can one extend the mortgage offer?

The person best placed to address this question is your lawyer who should determine whether he or she is corresponding with the bank, owner’s solicitors, estate agents or possibly all three taking into account the circumstances your house move as of today.

In what way does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Newham? Is this really warranted?

Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering regulations require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to check the identity of the potential client they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing retainer. The Client Care letter that you are required to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be viewed. Should you are unwilling to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer can not take you on as a client.

I have a decision in principle. The bank mentioned the mortgage came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to instruct their panel lawyer as I would much rather use a high street conveyancing solicitor in Newham?

You should check but the chances are that appoint one of their panel lawyers where you want the "fee-free" deal. Speak to the bank and explore if they make available a monetary alternative. It is not unheard for a lender to give a £250 cashback as a further option in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Newham.

4 months have elapsed following my purchase conveyancing in Newham took place. I have checked the Land Registry website which shows that I paid £175,000 when infact I paid £180,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Newham with a mortgage from . The sellers refused to move on the amount so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The house builders rep told me not inform my conveyancer about the extras as it could adversely affect my loan with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

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.