Various web forums that I have frequented warn that are the primary cause of stalling in Canonbury house deals. Is this right?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released conclusions of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the common causes of hindrances during the legal transfer of property. Searches are unlikely to be the root cause of delay in conveyancing in Canonbury.

I'm purchasing my first flat in Canonbury with a mortgage from Barclays . The developers refused to budge the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The estate agent suggested that I not to tell my solicitor about the extras as it may affect my mortgage with the lender. 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.

I decided to have a survey completed on a property in Canonbury before instructing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will not grant a loan on this type of house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements for example to Halifax. Should you wish to telephone us we can check via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Canonbury. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

I was advised by a couple of local selling agents in Canonbury to choose a solicitor on your site. What’s the financial incentive for Estate Agents to market your services over alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t make any financial incentive for directing people our way. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission as a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

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

The sensible thing to do is clear the invoice as normal given that all rents and service invoices should be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents 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.

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord for a lease extension without getting anywhere. Can one make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Canonbury conveyancing firm to represent me?

Where there is a missing landlord or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to decide the premium.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Canonbury flat is 5C Stoke Newington Road in April 2010. the Tribunal therefore concludes that the premium to be paid for the extended lease is £700.00 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 80.5 years.