I am buying a new build house in Oxfordshire with a mortgage from Clydesdale. The developers would not move on the price so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The house builders rep suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about the side-deal as it would affect my loan with the bank. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

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 issue on a property I have offered on last month in what was supposed to be a quick, chain free conveyancing. Oxfordshire is the location of the property. Can you offer any assistance?

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

Taking into account that I will soon part with hundreds of thousands of pounds on a property in Oxfordshire I wish to have a conversation with the conveyancer regarding thetransaction in advance of appointing the firm. Can this be arranged?

This is something that we recommend - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the solicitor due to be doing your conveyancing in Oxfordshire.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is unique person, not a matter number. The solicitors that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are provided with for residential conveyancing in Oxfordshire should be the figure that you end up paying.

In searching the web for the words conveyancing in Oxfordshire it reveals many conveyancersin the vicinity. How do I determine which is the right conveyancing solicitor for me?

The ideal way of seeking a suitable conveyancer is via trusted testimonial, so seek the opinion of colleagues and family who have purchased a property in Oxfordshire or a local estate agent or financial adviser. Charges for conveyancing in Oxfordshire vary, so it's sensible to obtain at least three fee calculations from varying types of solicitors. Make sure that you know what costs in the quote includes.

My son is embarking on her first house purchase, the home loan was agreed last week in principle. When the seller agreed the offer on the apartment we telephoned the building society to move forward with his. I was shocked to learn that mortgage companies do not accept all lawyer, they have to be on a list, is this correct?

Mortgage Companies normally imposes restrictions either the type or the number of conveyancing firms on their approved list of lawyers. Typical examples of such restriction(s) being that a firm must have two or more partners. In addition to restricting the type of firm, some have decided to limit the number of firms they use to represent them. You should note that lenders have no responsibility for the quality of advice provided by any Oxfordshire conveyancing practitioner on their panel. Mortgage fraud was a key driver in the rationalisation of conveyancing panels a few years ago and whilst there are differing views about the extent of solicitor involvement in some of that fraud. Statistics from the Land Registry reveal that thousands of law firms only carry out one or two conveyances a year. Those supporting conveyancing panel cuts ask why law firms should have the right to be on a Lender panel when clearly, conveyancing is not their speciality. To put it another way; would you want a conveyancing solicitor to represent you if you were charged with a crime? Probably not.