My husband and I are buying an apartment in Portslade. My Solicitor is not on the mortgage company solicitor list. Can I still appoint my Portslade conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are not on the bank approved list?

You have a couple of choices open to you here

• Complete the deal with your existing Portslade but your mortgage company will need to instruct a on their approved list. The net result is additional fees and probable interruption.
• Get a fresh to act in the purchase, ensuring that they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel.
• Appeal to your to seek to join the bank panel

I am buying my first flat in Portslade with the aid of help to buy. The builders would not move on the price so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The house builders rep told me not to tell my lawyer about the deal as it would put at risk my mortgage with the bank. 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 flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Portslade I like with open areas and railway links nearby, the downside is that it only has 51 years on the lease. There is not much else in Portslade suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a short lease?

If you require a home loan that many years will likely be an issue. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you can ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

In sourcing the world wide web for the term cheap conveyancing in Portslade it shows results of many solicitorsin the vicinity. How do I determine which is the suitable solicitor for me?

The best method of finding a suitable conveyancer is through a trusted testimonial, so enquire of friends and family who have bought a property in Portslade or the reputable estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Portslade vary, so it's sensible to request at least three quotes from different law firms. Dont forget to clarify that the fees are fixed.

Planning to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Portslade. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they report fully within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Portslade should include some of the following:

Does the lease prohibit wood flooring? Who has the liability to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know which party is responsible the repair and maintenance of every part of the building The length of the lease term. You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and informed of the importance of the 80 year mark An explanation as to the provision as set out in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the wider rights a lessee has What options are open to you if an adjoining owner is in violation of a provision in their lease?

For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Portslade please ask your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Portslade.

Portslade Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to buying

Who are the managing agents? What prohibitions exist in the Portslade Lease? Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge payments?