I am purchasing a new build house in Victoria with a mortgage from Coventry Building Society. The builders refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The property agent told me not reveal to my lawyer about this extras as it would impact my mortgage with the bank. Is this normal?.

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 opted to have a survey completed on a property in Victoria in advance of retaining lawyers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the property. The surveyor has said that some mortgage companies tend refuse to grant a mortgage on this type of house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Nationwide. If you contact us we can check via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Victoria. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Victoria especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Victoria.

My company is intending to take over a lease of a shop on a shopping parade. Can you recommend lawyers offering no-sale-no costs for commercial conveyancing in Victoria for below £2000?

We are happy to recommend firms who have an in-depth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Victoria, including the sale and purchase of businesses as well as simply premises. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a complete business we will put you in touch with the right firm. As for the fees these will vary based on the structure and terms of the proposed transaction. Please provide us with your details or call us so that we can supply you with comprehensive commercial conveyancing calculation.

In my capacity as executor for the will of my father I am disposing of a house in Monmouth but live in Victoria. My lawyer (based 300 kilometers from meneeds me to execute a stat dec prior to the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing lawyer in Victoria who can witness and place their company stamp on the document?

strictly speaking you are unlikely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are based in Victoria

We are first time buyers just having agreed a price on a property in Victoria, and need to get solicitors lined up. We have used the different comparison based websites and the fee estimates are from all over the England and Wales. Is it essential to have a Victoria property lawyer local to our prospective property? I am content to do all the communicating electronically, but I assume at some stage we may need to physically go into the property lawyer's office to sign contracts?

Usually there is no requirement to attend the office of your solicitor, they can post any relevant papers to you, which you can sign and return. Many buyers and sellers prefer to instruct a locally based solicitor, but it is not a prerequisite for conveyancing in Victoria.