My son-in-law is about to exchange on a new build apartment in Mile End with a home loan from Nationwide. His solicitor has said that there is a delay in completing the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?

The form is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Nationwide conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer when requested. The developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it. The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Nationwide conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

There are numerous conveyancing solicitors in Mile End but how do I know who's good?

We would encourage you not to go for the cheapest Mile End conveyancing quote. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

My partner and I have organised the release of further monies on our home loan from HSBC as we intend to carry out a loft conversion to our house in Mile End. Are we obliged to select a high street Mile End solicitor on the HSBC conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?

HSBC do not ordinarily appoint a member of their conveyancing panel to deal with such a matter. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the HSBC list.

The mortgage over my property is with Clydesdale for my property in Mile End. Conveyancing was finalised some time ago. Should I wish to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage or inform Clydesdale?

Your original mortgage agreement with Clydesdale will provide that you need their approval before renting your property as this is likely to be a breach of Clydesdale’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Clydesdale will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Clydesdale directly. It should not be necessary to do this via a Clydesdale conveyancing panel firm.

How does conveyancing in Mile End differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Mile End contact us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because house builders in Mile End typically acquire the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Mile End or who has acted in the same development.

My brother has encouraged me to instruct his conveyancers in Mile End. Should I find my own property lawyer?

Much as we are happy to recommend a Mile End conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to find a conveyancing solicitor is to get guidance from friends or relatives who have used the firm that you are considering.

Our lenders have just issued us with a mortgage offer. We appointed a local conveyancer in Mile End yesterday. This morning, our broker called to say that the mortgage company said that we cannot use our solicitor as they aren't on their 'approved list'. As FTB's, we did not have a clue that the lender had some control over our choice Is this usual?

You are at liberty to select any property lawyer you want to instruct for your conveyancing in Mile End nevertheless if they are not on the your lender's panel you would have to fork out an extra fee so the mortgage company can instruct their own solicitors as well to protect their interest. It may be possible your solicitor may apply to get included on to the mortgage company list of approved firms. Do make the most of web-based search facilities such as lenderpanel.com to find a conveyancing solcitor in Mile End on the lender panel. You can go into your high street bank branch in Mile End. They can recommend conveyancing solicitors in Mile End on the approved list.