I'm buying my first flat in Ashtead benefiting from help to buy. The builders refused to move on the amount so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The property agent suggested that I not to tell my solicitor about this deal as it could 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've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Ashtead is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Ashtead are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Ashtead you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Ashtead may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

I am a sole trader wishing to take over a lease of an office on the high street. Can you recommend solicitors offering competitive costs for non-domestic conveyancing in Ashtead for under £2000?

We can recommend firms who host a wealth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Ashtead, including the disposal and acquisition of businesses as well as simply property. Whether you are hoping to purchase or dispose of a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a whole business we will put you in touch with the right lawyer. As for the costs this will depend on the structure and complexity of the proposed transaction. Let us have your details or telephone so as to enable us to furnish you with a fixed commercial conveyancing quote.

My husband and I may need to rent out our Ashtead ground floor flat for a while due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Ashtead conveyancing firm in 2001 but they have since shut and we did not have the foresight to get any guidance as to whether the lease permits subletting. How do we find out?

Some leases for properties in Ashtead do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting consent.

I purchased a basement flat in Ashtead, conveyancing having been completed in 1995. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Equivalent flats in Ashtead with a long lease are worth £165,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease ceases on 21st October 50

With just 50 years left to run we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as costs.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.

Should one as executor remove a deceased person's name from the title register for a property in Ashtead?

If a Ashtead property is co-owned and one of the owners dies, their name will not automatically be removed from the title deeds. It is not necessary to remove their name as when it comes to a disposal your lawyer would simply be asked to evidence why the joint owner is missing from the conveyance, such as the probate documents.

With the aim of making the sale conveyancing more straight forward for the sale of the property you may arrange to have the deceased party removed from the title entries by submitting an application to the land registry with proof of the death. There is no land registry fee payable.