My god-son is buying a newly built flat in Buckfastleigh and Dean with a home loan from Kent Reliance. His conveyancer has said that there is a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?

The document is intended to provide information to the main parties engaged in the purchase. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when asked. The developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it. The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

Do the Building Society Association intend to launch a online directory to to identify solicitors on the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society conveyancing panel for example in Buckfastleigh and Dean?

We have not been informed any plans on the part of the BSA to promote such a tool.

We are buying a flat in Buckfastleigh and Dean. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a solicitor? On the day of competition we will need to put funds into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

Is it the case that all Buckfastleigh and Dean CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel?

A selection of banks and building societies now make use of CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS accreditation however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for solicitor practices wishing to join their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.

I've digested plenty of mortgage guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Buckfastleigh and Dean solicitor - who is on the Santander conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?

Santander will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Santander will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Buckfastleigh and Dean surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

I know that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Do I need this when purchasing a residence in Buckfastleigh and Dean? or I am told that there is a law dating back centuries that means some owners of property residing in a parish church boundary will be compelled to pay for repairs towards the chancel within the church. Is this appropriate for conveyancing in Buckfastleigh and Dean?

Unless a previous purchase of the house took place after 12 October 2013 you may take it that solicitors conducting conveyancing in Buckfastleigh and Dean to remain encouraging a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.

I am buying a house mortgage free. I have provided conveyancer with two separate evidence of photographic ID, bank statement, numerous utility bills. Now he requires a copy from a probate lawyer advising that the funds are in order and that it has come from inheritance and not via illegitimate means.

In today’s world you will not be able to complete any Buckfastleigh and Dean conveyancing transaction without first providing evidence of your identity to your lawyers. This usually takes the form of a either your passport or driving licence and a utility bill. Remember if you are providing your driving licence as evidence of ID it must be both the paper part and photo card part, one is not acceptable without the other. Evidence of your source of funds is required under Money Laundering laws.