I am not well enough to travel far from Chobham. I would like to know the logic why all Chobham conveyancers aren't included on all lender panels?

Even though it may seem unfair for lenders to limit who can represent them, from the public’s or solicitor’s viewpoint, the other side of the coin is that banks are becoming ever more anxious and feel it imperative to protect them against mortgage fraud. As a result of this concern mortgage companies have reduced their conveyancing panel to a size that they are happy to control.

I am acquiring a house mortgage free in Chobham. I have resided for the last dozen years in Chobham. Conveyancing searches are expensive. As I know the road and vicinity very well must I have all the conveyancing searches?

If you not getting a home loan, then the vast majority of the Chobham conveyancing searches are at your discretion. Your solicitor will ’encourage you, perhaps strongly, that you should have searches completed, but she is duty bound to take that path of advice. One thing to take into account; if you are intend to dispose of the house one day, it will likely be be of interest to your prospective buyer what the searches contain. Sometimes houses with apparent issues can still throw up adverse search results. A good conveyancing solicitor in Chobham will be able to give you some sensible guidance concerning this.

I'm purchasing my first flat in Chobham with the aid of help to buy. The builders would not reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The estate agent suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about this side-deal as it will impact my mortgage 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.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a quick, chain free conveyancing. Chobham is the location of the property. Can you offer any advice?

Flying freeholds in Chobham are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Chobham you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Chobham 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.

We are thinking of instructing an online conveyancer rather than a Chobham conveyancing firm. Any advice?

Numerous benefits exist in being able to visit a local Chobham conveyancing solicitor for instance

• signing documents and and when necessary
• sometimes being able to speak to someone face-to-face can make a significant difference, particularly for non-standard transactions
• the ability to raise concerns if matters are not going as expected

When analysing fees, look carefully for hidden extras. Most decent Chobham high street solicitors give an all-inclusive figure. Often online agents appear to offer discounted prices, yet have hidden 'extras' in the small print.