My brother and I have recently bought a property in Chelsfield. We have since encountered a number of problems with the house which we suspect were missed in the conveyancing searches. Do we have any recourse? Can you clarify the nature of searches that needed to have been ordered as part of conveyancing in Chelsfield?

The question is vague as what problems have arisen and if they are specific to conveyancing in Chelsfield. Conveyancing searches and due diligence undertaken during the legal transfer of property are designed to help avoid problems. As part of the legal transfer of property, a property owner fills in a document known as a Seller’s Property Information Form. If the information proves to be inaccurate, you may have a misrepresentation claim against the owner for any losses that you have suffered. The survey should have identified any problems with the structure of the property. Assuming a detailed survey was carried out and the issues were not identified, you may have a claim against the surveyor. However, if you did not have a full survey, you may be responsible for fixing any defects that have now been noted. We would always encourage buyers to take every possible step to ensure they are completely aware of the condition of a property before purchase regardless of whether they are buying in Chelsfield.

We are purchasing a house in Chelsfield. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a lawyer? At some point we will need to send money into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our money?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

When it comes to lenders such as , do Chelsfield have to pay a fee to be on the conveyancing panel?

We are unaware of any mortgage company fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

We previously chose conveyancing lawyers locally in Chelsfield on the solicitor panel. They are now charging me a further fee for the legal aspects of the mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by ?

Provided it is contained in their Terms of Engagement or estimate then yes your can levy a fee for this. The fee is not set by but by your Chelsfield . Numerous firms on the panel will quote ’dealing with mortgage’ fee but many practices include it on their overall fee.

I'm buying my first flat in Chelsfield with the aid of help to buy. The developers refused to budge the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The house builders rep advised me not inform my lawyer about this extras as it may put at risk my mortgage with . 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 own a leasehold house in Chelsfield. Conveyancing and mortgage organised. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing solicitor in Chelsfield who acted for me is not around. Any advice?

First contact HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a Chelsfield conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

Chelsfield Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying

The best form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this situation the leaseholders enjoy control and although a managing agent is frequently retained if it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. Many Chelsfield leasehold flats will be liable to pay a service charge for maintenance of the block set on behalf of the landlord. Where you acquire the flat you will have to meet this charge, usually quarterly during the year. This can be anything from several hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built blocks. In all likelihood there will be a rentcharge for you to pay yearly, this is usually not a large figure, say around £25-£75 but you should to enquire as occasionally it could be many hundreds of pounds. What is the length of the lease?

What type of premises does your Chelsfield conveyancing estimates relate to?

Our conveyancing quotes are only relevant to standard residential homes in England & Wales. If you have any different needs for instance industrial or agricultural property or commercial conveyancing in Chelsfield you should contact us to discuss your requirements .