I'm purchasing a new build house in Rochdale benefiting from help to buy. The builders would not reduce the price so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The property agent suggested that I not reveal to my conveyancer about this deal as it would jeopardize my loan with Barclays Direct. 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.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Rochdale is the location of the property. Is there any advice you can give?

Flying freeholds in Rochdale are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Rochdale you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Rochdale may ascertain that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

As co-executor for the estate of my grandmother I am disposing of a residence in Neath but live in Rochdale. My solicitor (who is 300 kilometers awayrequires that I execute a statutory declaration ahead of completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Rochdale to attest this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you are unlikely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Rochdale

My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Rochdale. Conveyancing and Leeds Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1991. The conveyancing practitioner in Rochdale who acted for me is not around. What should I do?

First contact HMLR to be sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to instruct a Rochdale conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I own a garden flat in Rochdale, conveyancing formalities finalised in 2010. How much will my lease extension cost? Equivalent flats in Rochdale with an extended lease are worth £211,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2091

You have 67 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £10,500 and £12,000 plus legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional concerns that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

I acquired a house in Rochdale last 4/4/2023 and to date it is still not registered with HM Land Registry. It was part of a new estate and my lawyer told me that it may take twelve months to register. I have called the Land Registry directly and they have informed me the initial application was cancelled due to questions not being addressed in time. Do I need to be concerned?

It is your conveyancer that you should contact in order to satisfy any issues which have arisen as part of the registration process for your Rochdale property. Normal Rochdale conveyancing practice includes an undertaking on the part of the previous owner’s conveyancing practitioner that they will help resolve any registration raised by HMLR so it may be a case of taking action to enforce that undertaking if necessary.