We wanted to use a property lawyer in Clerkenwell for our house move. Our broker has since notified us that our mortgage company Bank of Ireland won't deal with them. Surely this is unduly restrictive?

Before the recession most banks had a different appetite for risk. Almost all Clerkenwell conveyancing firms would have been on most bank panels. The financial services regulator in 2010 carried out a thematic review into mortgage fraud which concluded: know the conveyancing solicitors dealt with. Consequently, mortgage companies are increasingly seeing more information from law firms relating to their operations and the individuals who work for them as well as set certain criteria such a completing on a minimum volume of conveyancing. Many Clerkenwell conveyancing firms that have been excluded from lender panels have a 100% healthy track record, no complaints and no claims and didn't just 'dabble' in conveyancing. Clerkenwell is amongst the hundreds of areas where the lawyers we recommend are are authorised to act for Bank of Ireland.

I am purchasing my first flat in Clerkenwell with a loan from Coventry Building Society. The sellers would not reduce the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The property agent advised me not to tell my solicitor about the deal as it may adversely affect my mortgage with Coventry Building Society. 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 element on a house I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Clerkenwell is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Clerkenwell are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Clerkenwell you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Clerkenwell may decide 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.

My husband and I are first time buyers - had an offer accepted, but the selling agent has warned us that the owners will only proceed if we use the agent's preferred conveyancers as they want an ‘expedited deal’. Our preferred option is to instruct a family solicitor accustomed to conveyancing in Clerkenwell

We suspect that the owner is not behind this ultimatum. Should the vendor desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a motivated buyer is not the way to achieve this. Speak to the vendors direct and explain that (a)you are genuine purchasers (b)you are ready to go, with mortgage lined up © you do not need to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you will continue to instruct your own,trusted Clerkenwell conveyancing solicitors - as opposed tothose that will provide their negotiator at the agency a kickback or meet his conveyancing figures set by head office.

How much experience do your Clerkenwell conveyancing solicitors have with Help To Buy, Shared Equity and similar schemes?

Clerkenwell conveyancing lawyers help thousands of people move home every year and supported plenty of clients through the Help To Buy scheme. The chances are that whatever makes your case unique Clerkenwell conveyancers have worked on recent similar cases.