We see that you have a search directory identifying law firms on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I instruct them for our conveyancing in Cottenham?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Cottenham.

When researching mumsnet.com for a cheap solicitor in Cottenham, many post that I should use a CQS accredited lawyer. Can you explain what CQS is?

The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme is the recognised quality mark for legal experts in buying or selling property, trusted by some of the UK's biggest mortgage companies. Four years ago the Conveyancing Quality Scheme was officially recognised by the Building Societies Association (BSA). The scheme does not cover licenced conveyancers. Cottenham is one of the numerous areas of the UK where there are Accredited lawyers.

I used Stirling Law a few years ago for my conveyancing in Cottenham. Now, I need my files but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Cottenham of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I am purchasing a new build house in Cottenham with a loan from Bank of Scotland. The developers refused to move on the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The sale representative advised me not disclose to my conveyancer about this deal as it would impact my loan with the bank. 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.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Cottenham conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Cottenham conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with several firms including non Cottenham conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions might be useful:

How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?

I acquired a studio flat in Cottenham, conveyancing formalities finalised in 2012. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Corresponding properties in Cottenham with over 90 years remaining are worth £181,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2076

You have 50 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £32,300 and £37,400 plus legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.