Our nephew is purchasing a new build apartment in Cheadle with a home loan from Coventry BS. His conveyancer has advised him of a delay in completing the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?

The document is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when asked. 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 Coventry BS conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

How does conveyancing in Cheadle differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Cheadle contact us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is completed. This is because house builders in Cheadle tend to purchase the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Cheadle or who has acted in the same development.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Cheadle is where the house is located. Can you offer any assistance?

Flying freeholds in Cheadle are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Cheadle you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Cheadle may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing solicitor in Cheadle for my home move. Can I see a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?

One may read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could recorded call for training purposes.

My father-in-law mentioned that when choosing a conveyancing solicitors they need approved by your bank. I am a FTB but I have an AIP from Virgin Money and I already have a bricks and morter conveyancing solicitor in Cheadle lined up. Can HSBC require an approved conveyancer to be used? Does a list of panel firms even exist for my conveyancing in Cheadle?

You need to instruct a solicitor that is on the HSBC panel. Simply ring your chosen Cheadle conveyancing lawyer and ask if they are on the HSBC panel. If they are not on the panel you have a number of choices open to you here:

• Proceed with your preferred Cheadle conveyancing practitioner but HSBC will need to retain a conveyancing practitioner on their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional fees together with potential interruption.
• Appoint a fresh conveyancer to conduct the conveyancing, making sure they are on the HSBC conveyancing panel.
• Convince your conveyancing practitioner to pull out all the stops to get listed on the HSBC conveyancing panel.