My husband and I are buying a new build apartment in Hammersmith and my conveyancer is telling me that she has to the lender to disclose incentives from the seller. I am on a tight deadline to exchange contracts and I would rather not prolong matters. Is my lawyer right?

You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your solicitor. A precondition to being on a bank panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.

I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Hammersmith but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Hammersmith and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hammersmith but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.

I decided to have a survey completed on a house in Hammersmith before retaining lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. The surveyor has said that some lenders will not issue a loan on this type of house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hammersmith. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

Is it possible to switch conveyancer as I need to select one who is on the Barclays conveyancing panel. I had appointed a local conveyancing solicitor in Hammersmith round the corner but the firm is not approved by Barclays

It would be our pleasure to help you select a conveyancing solicitor in Hammersmith on the Barclays panel. Please note that the conveyancers that we work with do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are fully regulated by the SRA who regulate all conveyancing solicitors in Hammersmith. In utilising the find a conveyancing solicitor tool on this site, you can scrutinise fees for conveyancing solicitors in Hammersmith and beyond.

What is the average legal costs for conveyancing in Hammersmith?

The average fee in 2014 for conveyancing in Hammersmith was just under one thousand five hundred pounds excluding SDLT and HM Land Registry fees.