My partner and I are buying a newly constructed duplex in Grays and my lawyer is telling me that she has to the bank to disclose incentives from the seller. I am under pressure to exchange and I don't want to delay deal. Is my lawyer right?

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 have been recommended a conveyancing solicitor in Grays. I I am struggling to find out if they are on the conveyancing panel. Can you or the lender confirm if they are on the panel?

The first thing you should do is e-mail the lawyer and enquire whether they can act for the bank. Alternatively you can call who may be able to help.

I have todaybecome aware that Stirling Law have closed. They carried out my conveyancing in Grays for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 18 months ago. How can I check that my home is in my name in the name of the former proprietor?

The easiest way to check if the property is registered to you, you can carry out 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 Grays conveyancing specialists.

I invested in buying a split level flat in Grays, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent flats in Grays with a long lease are worth £165,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £45 invoiced every year. The lease terminates on 21st October 50

With only 50 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £36,100 and £41,800 as well as legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more comprehensive due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action based on this information without first getting professional advice.

My brother is buying a ground floor flat in Grays. He was given a quote by the suggested by the selling agents totaling £1156 . It was eight years ago since I sold and bought a property and the bill was £500. Have charges really increased to that extent?

You should e-mail 3 or 4 local Grays conveyancing solicitors seeking prices. It is advisable to base your selection not just on cost, but on promptness and on how comprehensive the response was.