I am soon to exchange buying a house in Thame but as a result of wreckage from the recent storms I have managed to agree reparation from the seller in the sum of £2k in the form of a adjustment in the price. I had intended this to be dealt with as part of a side agreement however Bank of Ireland are not allowing this. Why were they informed?

Your solicitor being on a Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel is duty bound to disclose to Bank of Ireland of any amendments to the sale price. If you were to refuse your solicitor to report the price change to Bank of Ireland then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Bank of Ireland and you would have to appoint a new lawyer for your conveyancing in Thame.

As someone unfamiliar with conveyancing in Thame what’s the number one tip you can impart concerning the legal transfer of property in Thame

Not many law firms or advisers will tell you this but conveyancing in Thame or throughout Oxfordshire is an adversarial experience. Put another way, when it comes to conveyancing there is lots of opportunity for friction between you and others involved in the legal transfer of property. For example, the vendor, selling agent and sometimes your bank. Selecting a law firm for your conveyancing in Thame an important selection as your conveyancer is your adviser, and is the ONLY party in the process whose responsibility is to look after your legal interests and to protect you.

On occasion a third party with a vested interest may try and convince you that it is in your interests to do things their way. As an example, the estate agent may claim to be assisting by claiming that your lawyer is wrong. Or your financial adviser may tell you to do take action that is contrary to your solicitors advice. You should always trust your lawyer above all other parties when it comes to the legal transfer of property.

We are purchasing a house and the solicitor has mentioned Chancel Repair for which the property could be liable given it’s proximity to the area of such a church. She has recommended insurance. Is this really appropriate for conveyancing in Thame

Unless a previous acquisition of the property took place post 12 October 2013 you can take it that lawyers delivering conveyancing in Thame to continue to advocate a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.

I purchased a semi-detached Victorian house in Thame. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and TSB. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Thame and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also question the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the purchase.

About to purchase a new build flat in Thame. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Thame

The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier?