The Winchcombe conveyancing firm handling our Winchcombe conveyancing has uncovered an inconsistency when comparing the surveyor’s assumptions in the home valuation survey and what is in the legal papers for the property. My solicitor says that he needs to check that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is content to go ahead. Is my lawyer’s stance appropriate?

Your solicitor must comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.

My relative suggested that if I am purchasing in Winchcombe I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Winchcombe conveyancing searches. It is a large document of about 40 pages, listing and setting out important information about Winchcombe around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Winchcombe.

I am purchasing a new build house in Winchcombe benefiting from help to buy. The developers would not budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The estate agent told me not reveal to my lawyer about this side-deal as it will adversely affect my mortgage with the lender. 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 have been advised by numerous estate agents in Winchcombe to select a conveyancer using your seach tool. What’s the financial inducement for Estate Agents to promote your services ahead of a competitor’s?

We don’t make any financial incentive for sending work in our direction. We thought it would be too underhand a fee as a client could think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

I am attracted to a couple of maisonettes in Winchcombe both have in the region of 50 years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

There are plenty of short leases in Winchcombe. The lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a prescribed time frame. As a lease shortens the value of the lease decreases and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. For this reason it is often a good idea to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease as mortgage lenders may be reluctant to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We advise that you seek professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this area.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Winchcombe - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

It would be prudent to find out as much as you can about the company managing the block as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to daily matters such as the tidiness of the common parts. Don't be shy to ask other tenants what they think of their management. Finally, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the appropriate party and precisely what you get for your money. Who are the managing agents?