My god-son is in the process of securing a new build apartment in Burford with a mortgage from HSBC. His conveyancer has advised him of a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. This document is news to me - what is it and who needs sight of it?

The document is intended to provide information to the main parties engaged in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the HSBC conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when requested. The developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it. The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the HSBC conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

I have been recommended a conveyancing solicitor in Burford. I I would like to check if they are accepted on the Bank of Scotland conveyancing panel. Could you advise?

The first thing you should do is call the lawyer and enquire if they can act for the bank. Otherwise you can get in touch with Bank of Scotland who may be able to assist.

I need some fast conveyancing in Burford as I am under an ultimatum to complete within 2 weeks. A home loan is not required. Is it possible to avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?

If.Given you are are a cash purchaser you have the choice not to have searches conducted although no solicitor would advise that you don't. Drawing on our experience of conveyancing in Burford the following are instances of what can arise and adversely affect market value: Enforcement Notices, Outstanding Fees, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

In scouring the web for the words cheap conveyancing in Burford it brings up numerous solicitorslocally. How do I determine which is the suitable solicitor for purchase transaction?

The best method of finding the right conveyancer is via personal recommendation, so enquire of colleagues and relatives who have purchased a property in Burford or a respected estate agent or financial adviser. Charges for conveyancing in Burford vary, so it's advisable to secure a minimum of four fee estimates from varying types of law firms. Make sure that you clarify that the charges are assured not to escalate.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my basement apartment in Burford. Conveyancing is yet to be initiated, but I have just received a half-yearly maintenance charge demand – Do I pay up?

The sensible thing to do is pay the invoice as normal as all rents and maintenance invoices will be apportioned as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Burford - Examples of Queries before Purchasing

Is there a share of the freehold? Does the lease have onerous restrictions? For many Burford leaseholds the cost for major works are not wrapped into the service charges, albeit that there some managing agents in Burford require leaseholders to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for major works.