Me and my partner are about to complete buying a property in Crawley Down but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have managed to agree reparation from the current proprietors in the sum of six thousand pounds by way of a deduction in the price. This was going to be addressed as part of amending the contract however RBS will not permit this. Why were they approached?

The conveyancer being on the RBS conveyancing panel is required to inform RBS of any changes to the purchase price. If you prohibit your solicitor to report the reduction to RBS then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, RBS and you would have to appoint a new property lawyer for your conveyancing in Crawley Down.

Is it the case that all Crawley Down CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel?

It is true that some lenders now utilise the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitors wishing to join their panels.

When it comes to lenders such as Principality, do Crawley Down lawyers incur a yearly amount to be on the conveyancing panel?

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

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Crawley Down off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Bank of Ireland. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Bank of Ireland, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel.

I'm buying a new build house in Crawley Down with a mortgage from The Mortgage Works. The builders refused to budge the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The estate agent told me not disclose to my solicitor about this side-deal as it will impact my mortgage with The Mortgage Works. 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.

Is it best to instruct a Crawley Down conveyancing lawyer in close proximity to the house I am hoping to buy? We have a good friend who can deal with the conveyancing but her office is a couple of hundredkilometers drive away.

The primary upside of using a local Crawley Down conveyancing firm is that you can visit the firm to sign documents, present your identification documents and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local intelligence which is a bonus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who used your friend and on the whole were impressed that must trump using an unknown Crawley Down conveyancing lawyer just because they are based in the area.

What are the specific benefits to choosing a high street conveyancer in Crawley Down

Home movers in Crawley Down opt for a local solicitor so that they can visit in the event that they have questions, and to deliver paperwork rather than run the risk of relying on the post.

There is a marginal edge when using a conveyancing practitioner local to the premises you are buying, due to the familiarity of the locality and potential local issues - however this is debatable. The majority of conveyancers carry out their work through email and could be any place in the world.