Last September we completed a house move in Gerrards Cross. We have noticed several problems with the house which we consider were missed in the conveyancing searches. Is there anything we can do? Can you clarify the type of searches that should have been carried out as part of conveyancing in Gerrards Cross?

The question is not clear as what problems have arisen and if they are relate to conveyancing in Gerrards Cross. Conveyancing searches and investigations initiated during the legal transfer of property are supposed to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, a seller completes a form called a SPIF. If the information turns out to be incorrect, then you may have a claim against the vendor for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Gerrards Cross.

I'm buying a new build house in Gerrards Cross with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not reduce the price so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The estate agent advised me not reveal to my solicitor about this extras as it could put at risk my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer 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 am looking for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Gerrards Cross I like with open areas and station nearby, however it only has 49 remaining years left on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Gerrards Cross for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term may be an issue. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the current owner 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. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer regarding this matter.

In my capacity as executor for the will of my father I am selling a residence in Swansea but I am based in Gerrards Cross. My conveyancer (who is 260 kilometers awayrequires that I sign a stat dec before completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing practitioner in Gerrards Cross who can witness and place their company stamp on the document?

strictly speaking you should not be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or qualified solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Gerrards Cross

My fiance and I have just had an offer agreed on a house and had meeting on Tuesday with Nationwide for the mortgage. They advised us that when it comes to selecting a property lawyer that if they are not on their approved list of solicitors then we will have to pay out an extra fee of £200. This is because they will then have to instruct a solicitor to act on their behalf as well as the one we appoint for ourselves and we are liable for their costs. I have requested Nationwide to send me with a list so I can seek estimates only from their approved solicitors but was told they dont have such a list to hand over. Is their an easier way of going about this?

You should ask Nationwide what their criteria for joining their panel is for a solicitor.Then ask the lawyer of your choice whether they meet the criteria and have they acted on mortgages for Nationwide in the past. Where the answer to those is yes, then just double check with Nationwide. Alternatively please use our search tool and we should be able to identify a conveyancing practitioner in Gerrards Cross on the approved list for Nationwide.