I am soon to exchange buying a property in Chingford but as a consequence of wreckage from a small fire at the property I have managed to agree reparation from the vendor of three thousand pounds by way of a adjustment in the price. I had intended this to be dealt with as part of a side agreement but Virgin Money are not allowing this. Should they have been notified?

Your solicitor being on a Virgin Money conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Virgin Money of any variations to the purchase price. If you prohibit your conveyancer to notify the reduction to Virgin Money then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Virgin Money and you would have to appoint a new property lawyer for your conveyancing in Chingford.

I can see plenty of here about conveyancing in Chingford but what is your top tip for finding the right conveyancer in Chingford

Do not opt for the cheapest Chingford conveyancing fees. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

Forgive me if this question is silly but I am unseasoned as FTB of a ground floor flat in Chingford. Do I collect the keys to the property on completion from my solicitor? If so, I will find a local conveyancing solicitor in Chingford?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Conveyancing lawyers for you will arrange to send the completion advance to the seller's conveyancers, and once they have received this, you will be invited to receive the keys from the selling Agents and start moving into the property. This tends to happen between 1 and 3pm.

After shopping around on the internet I have found a Chingford solicitor having made sure that they are on the Co-operative conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property?

Co-operative will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Co-operative 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. Your conveyancing practitioner will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by your Chingford postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Co-operative, you could contact them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors in Chingford.

I'm buying a new build house in Chingford with the aid of help to buy. The sellers refused to reduce the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The sale representative suggested that I not reveal to my lawyer about the side-deal as it may affect my mortgage with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.

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 guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Chingford ahead of retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor has said that some lenders may not give a loan on a flying freehold house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Chingford. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Chingford especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Chingford.

I am a sole trader hoping to lease a unit on the high street. Can you recommend solicitors offering fixed costs for non-domestic conveyancing in Chingford for below £2000?

We can recommend firms who have well rounded knowledge of commercial conveyancing in Chingford, including the disposal and purchase of businesses as well as simply premises. If you are looking to acquire or sell a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a complete business we will put you in touch with the right firm. As for the costs these will vary based on the structure and heads of terms of the proposed transaction. Let us have your details or email us so that we can provide you with comprehensive commercial conveyancing calculation.