The Otford conveyancing firm handling our Otford conveyancing has discovered a difference when comparing the surveyor’s assumptions in the valuation survey and what is revealed within the legal papers for the property. My lawyer informs me that he must ensure that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is content to go ahead. Is my lawyer’s stance correct?

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.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Otford. One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Nottingham be concerned?

As your lender is Nottingham your lawyer must follow the formal instructions contained in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Nottingham. The CML Handbook sets out minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Nottingham where a lease fails to comply with these conditions. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties nationwide and is not isolated to Otford.

It is unclear whether my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have telephoned my Otford building society branch on a couple of occasions and was reassured it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My Otford conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told they refuse to lend in accordance with their published requirements. I simply don't know who is right.

The conveyancing practitioner must follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook section two requirements for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years remaining.

Planning on purchasing a apartment in Otford. I have received an online quote from a licenced conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the UBS conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.

They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that the Otford lawyer is on the UBS conveyancing panel.

I am purchasing a new build house in Otford with a mortgage from Halifax. The sellers refused to reduce the price so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The sale representative advised me not reveal to my lawyer about the side-deal as it would adversely affect my loan with Halifax. 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.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 62 years remaining on my flat in Otford. I now wish to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What options are available to me?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to locate the landlord. For most situations a specialist would be useful to try and locate and prepare a report to be used as evidence that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a solicitor in relation to devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Otford.

Otford Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

It would be wise to find out as much as you can regarding the managing agents as they will either make living at the property much easier or a lot more difficult. Being a leasehold owner you will be at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to daily matters such as the tidiness of the common parts. Ask prospective neighbours whether they are happy with them. In conclusion, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and precisely what it includes. Does this lease have more than 80 years left?

I am buying a property and require a conveyancing solicitor in Otford who is on the bank conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a Otford solicitor?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for the lender who conduct conveyancing in Otford. We dont recommend any particular solicitor.