My friend suggested that where I am buying in Edgbaston I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

A search of this type is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Edgbaston conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing important information about Edgbaston around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Edgbaston Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Edgbaston Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information about Edgbaston.

I bought my apartment on 7 September and my personal details is yet to be registered. Any reason for this? My conveyancing solicitor in Edgbaston advises it would be dealt with in a couple of weeks. Are titles in Edgbaston uniquely lengthy to register?

There is nothing unique when it comes to conveyancing in Edgbaston registration formalities. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can differ subject to who lodges the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry must send notices to any third parties. Currently roughly three quarters of submission are completed within 12 days but occasionally there can be protracted delays. Registration takes place after the purchaser has moved in to the premises so 'speed' is not usually primary concern yet where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your lawyers should communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for an expedited registration.

I'm purchasing my first flat in Edgbaston benefiting from help to buy. The sellers would not reduce the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The property agent advised me not to tell my conveyancer about the extras as it would jeopardize my mortgage with the bank. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer 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 decided to have a survey carried out on a property in Edgbaston in advance of instructing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. Our surveyor advised that some lenders will refuse to issue a mortgage on this type of home.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can check with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Edgbaston. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Edgbaston especially if they regularly deal with such properties in Edgbaston.

We are in the middle of purchasing a property in Edgbaston. Conveyancing lawyer has told us the title is "Leasehold". Should this make a difference on our Halifax valuation?

Edgbaston conveyancing does not usually involve leasehold houses. The crucial consideration here is the remaining lease term and the ground rent. If it's 999 years with a peppercorn rent, it's essentially freehold, so it shouldn't impact the value significantly.

On the flip side, if it's, say, Sixty years it is bound to have a significant effect on the value, and probably wouldn't be mortgageable. The length of lease and ground rent will be stated in the lease to be supplied to your conveyancing practitioner.