I have a decision in principle. The lender mentioned the mortgage came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to appoint their panel lawyer as I would much rather use a Biggin Hill based conveyancing firm?

You should check but the the likelihood is that appoint one of their panel conveyancers if you accept the "fee-free" offer. Speak to the bank to see if they allow a cash alternative. In the past a few mortgage companies offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Biggin Hill.

My conveyancer has informed me that flying freehold insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the level of cover for Biggin Hill conveyancing?

The right level of flying freehold indemnity insurance depends on your lender. It would differ for example between Accord Mortgages Ltd and Chelsea Building Society. Conveyancing lawyers as opposed to members of the public take out such policies.

When it comes to mortgage companies such as Lloyds, do Biggin Hill solicitors have to pay a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?

We are not aware of any mortgage company fees to be on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

My partner and I are at the point of viewing houses in Biggin Hill and I am about to put in an offer. Is it wise to have my conveyancing practitioner on ‘stand by’? I will be getting a mortgage with Aldermore.

You should start obtaining conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and forward their contact information on to the estate agent. Given that you are seeking a mortgage with Aldermore, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Aldermore conveyancing panel.

What will a local search reveal concerning the property we're purchasing in Biggin Hill?

Biggin Hill conveyancing often starts with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or via a personal search organisations for example Onsearch The local search plays an important part in many a Biggin Hill conveyancing purchase; that is if you wish to avoid any unpleasant once you have moved into your new home. The search should supply information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications relevant to the property (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen topic areas.

I am purchasing my first flat in Biggin Hill with a loan from TSB. The sellers would not budge the price so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent advised me not to tell my lawyer about this extras as it will put at risk my mortgage with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

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've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Biggin Hill is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Biggin Hill are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Biggin Hill you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Biggin Hill 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 premises.