We are purchasing a new build apartment in Liss and my lawyer is telling me that she is duty bound to the bank to reveal incentives from the seller. I am on a tight deadline to exchange contracts and I have no desire to delay deal. 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.

How does conveyancing in Liss differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Liss approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is completed. This is because house builders in Liss tend to buy the real estate, 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 conveyancing solicitors 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Liss or who has acted in the same development.

I decided to have a survey completed on a house in Liss in advance of instructing conveyancers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend refuse to give a mortgage on such a home.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you e-mail us we can investigate further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Liss. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

I have been sourcing a conveyancing solicitor in Liss for my home move. Is there any facility to check a firm’s record with the legal regulator?

One can review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions stemming from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training reasons.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Liss conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Liss conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Liss conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be of use:

Can they put you in touch with clients in Liss who can give a testimonial?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Liss - Examples of Queries Prior to buying

How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? Is anyone aware of any major works on the horizon that will likely add a premium to the maintenance charges?