My friend's uncle is a conveyancing practitioner. I suspect that I'll be able to get friends and family fee for conveyancing, but if not, what level of fees should I be paying for conveyancing in Upper Holloway?

It’s wise to seek two or three conveyancing estimates. Do use our search tool on this page. Whilst quotes seem to vary but the service one can expect differ between solicitors as is the case with the vast majority of professional services.

My wife and I purchasing a 3 bedroom semi in Upper Holloway. The intention is to an extension at the rear at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve checks to determine if these works are allowed?

Your property lawyer should review the registered title as conveyancing in Upper Holloway can on occasion reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent certain alterations or require the permission of another owner. Certain additions need local authority planning consent and approval under the building regulations. Many areas are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or impact extensions. It would be prudent to check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

I am purchasing a property in Upper Holloway. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender UBS be concerned?

As your lender is UBS your lawyer must comply with the formal instructions set out in Section two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for UBS. The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to UBS where a lease fails to comply with these provisions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not limited to Upper Holloway.

I've read lots of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Upper Holloway solicitor - who is on the Santander conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?

Santander will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Santander will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. Your conveyancing practitioner will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Upper Holloway postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Santander, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Upper Holloway.

Various internet forums that I have frequented warn that are the number one reason for delay in Upper Holloway conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released conclusions of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure amongst the common causes of delays in the conveyancing process. Local searches are unlikely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in Upper Holloway.

I am buying a new build house in Upper Holloway benefiting from help to buy. The developers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent suggested that I not disclose to my lawyer about the extras as it may affect my loan with the lender. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder 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 was advised by a couple of local selling agents in Upper Holloway to find a solicitor using your seach tool. What’s the financial incentive for Estate Agents to recommend your lawyers ahead of another?

We refuse to make any financial incentive for directing people to this site. We thought it would be too underhand a fee as home movers will think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.