I opted for a Canterbury based firm for my conveyancing in Canterbury yesterday. Upon checking the small print it is apparent thatwe are on the hook for costs even where the conveyance does not complete. Should I go with them or instruct an on-line conveyancing brokerage offering no-sale-no-fee conveyancing in Canterbury?

It is usually a trade off in that if "No Sale No Fee" is available then the conveyancing charges will tend to be be uplifted to neutralise those cases that fail to complete. Do bear in mind that these arrangements tend not to protect you from outlay for example Canterbury conveyancing search fees.

Some advice if I may. My Canterbury conveyancer is informing me me that he is legally obliged toapply for Canterbury conveyancing searches asthe firm are on the Nat Westapproved lawyer panel. Do I not have any say here?

Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. As you are taking a mortgage with a lender your conveyancer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your conveyancing practitioner would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your lender’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook provisions . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Canterbury conveyancing searches.

I am buying my first flat in Canterbury with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not reduce the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The sale representative suggested that I not inform my solicitor about the extras as it would jeopardize my mortgage with the lender. Is this normal?.

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.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Canterbury prior to appointing lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. My surveyor advised that some lenders tend not grant a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different requirements from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can check with the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Canterbury. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.

My property lawyer in Canterbury is asking me for proof of ID documents stating that this forms part of his requirements as a solicitor on the bank Solicitor panel. Am I being spun a yarn?

Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require Canterbury conveyancing solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Client Care letter that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that the bank also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with the bank's UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements