I am purchasing a newly built duplex in Barnet and my lawyer is telling me that she is duty bound to the lender to reveal incentives from the developer. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to exchange contracts and I would rather not prolong the conveyancing. is my lawyer playing by the book?

You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your . A precondition to being on a mortgage company panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook specifications. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.

I am planning on selling our home in Barnet and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was constructed land that was not decontaminated. A local lawyer would know this is not the case. For the life of me I don't know why the buyers used an online conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Barnet. We have lived in Barnet for many years we know of no issue. Should we contact our local Authority to get confirmation that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm already. What do they say? You need to check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)

I have todaybecome aware that Action Conveyancing have closed. They carried out my conveyancing in Barnet for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 10 months ago. How can I be sure that the property is registered correctly in the name of the previous owner?

The quickest way to see if the property is in your name, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Barnet conveyancing specialists.

I am purchasing my first flat in Barnet with the aid of help to buy. The builders refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not to tell my solicitor about the deal as it may affect my mortgage with the bank. Is this normal?.

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 am looking for a flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Barnet I like with amenity areas and transport links nearby, however it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Barnet for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a short lease?

Should you require a home loan the shortness of the lease may be problematic. Reduce the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you could request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.