My relative advised me that if I am buying in Lozells I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Lozells conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Lozells 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 Property Price, Crime statistics, Local Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Lozells.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Lozells benefiting from help to buy. The builders refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The sale representative told me not inform my conveyancer about the side-deal as it would jeopardize my loan with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

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.

Given that I will soon spend £400,000 on a property in Lozells I would like to talk to a conveyancer regarding thetransaction ahead of giving the go ahead to the firm. Is this something that you can arrange?

Absolutely - it is our preference to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you liaising with the conveyancer due to be carrying out your conveyancing in Lozells.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - every client is an important individual, not a matter reference. The solicitors that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are quoted for your conveyancing in Lozells should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.