What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Hartfield? Why is this being asked of me?

Hartfield conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers accross the UK have a duty under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to supply two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and evidence of address (usually a Utility Bill no more than three months).

Proof of source of monies is also required in accordance with the money laundering statutes as lawyers are required to ensure that the monies you are utilising to acquire a property (be it the exchange deposit or the total purchase amount where you are a cash purchaser) has come from an acceptable source (such as employment savings) as opposed to the fruits of criminal behaviour.

My partner and I are downsizing from our property in Hartfield and according to the buyers it appears that there is a possibility that the property was built land that was not decontaminated. A local conveyancer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers instructed a national conveyancing practice as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Hartfield. Having lived in Hartfield for six years we know that this is a non issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to seek confirmation that the buyers are looking for.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm already. Are they able to advise? You must check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)

I have justdiscovered that Arc property Solicitors have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Hartfield for a purchase of a leasehold flat 10 months ago. How can I be sure that the property is registered correctly in the name of the previous owner?

The quickest method to see if the property is in your name, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Hartfield conveyancing specialists.

I'm buying my first flat in Hartfield with a loan from Accord Mortgages Ltd. The developers would not budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent suggested that I not inform my conveyancer about the deal as it would adversely affect my loan with Accord Mortgages Ltd. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

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.

We have just had a bid accepted on our 1st home in Hartfield, and are about to get solicitors instructed. We have made use of the different rating tools and the results are from all across the country. Is it essential to have a Hartfield solicitor local to the potential new home? I am happy to do all the communicating electronically, but I guess at some point we may be required to attend the lawyer's office to sign documents?

There is no need to physically visit the office of your conveyancer, they can post any relevant documents to you, which you can sign and return. Many home movers prefer to instruct a locally based solicitor, but it is not a prerequisite for conveyancing in Hartfield.