I'm purchasing a new build house in Tiverton benefiting from help to buy. The developers refused to move on the amount so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The property agent told me not inform my solicitor about this side-deal as it could affect my loan with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.

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 opted to have a survey completed on a property in Tiverton before retaining conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. My surveyor has said that some lenders tend refuse to issue a mortgage on a flying freehold house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Nationwide. If you contact us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Tiverton. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Tiverton to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

I need to retain a conveyancing solicitor for purchase conveyancing in Tiverton. I happened to land on a site which seems to have the perfect solution If it is possible to get all this stuff done via email that would be ideal. Do I need to be concerned? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Tiverton conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Tiverton conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you speak with two or three firms including non Tiverton conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be useful:

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

I own a split level flat in Tiverton, conveyancing having been completed in 2004. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Similar flats in Tiverton with over 90 years remaining are worth £197,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2079

With just 55 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £31,400 and £36,200 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.

Our mortgage broker has suggested using their conveyancing practitioner for the conveyancing in Tiverton - won’t it be advisable to just instruct them?

This is not necessarily the case and you are free to opt for whichever solicitor of your choosing for your Tiverton home move. A lawyer put forward by an estate agent may not always be the best conveyancing practitioner, they may suggest their own conveyancing firm who are based far away. In this instance you may not have contact with your conveyancer and due to the lack of continuity in the transaction, it may be difficult to obtain progress reports.