My wife and I are due to exchange buying a house in Chorlton but as a consequence of wreckage from the recent storms I have was able negotiate recompense from the current proprietors of six thousand pounds in the form of a adjustment in the price. I had intended this to be addressed as part of amending the contract yet Kent Reliance will not agree to this. Why were they notified?

Your lawyer being on the Kent Reliance approved list is obliged to inform Kent Reliance of any changes to the sale price. If you were to refuse your conveyancer to report the reduction to Kent Reliance then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Kent Reliance and you would have to appoint a new conveyancer for your conveyancing in Chorlton.

My husband and I are buying a newbuild flat in Chorlton with a mortgage from Chelsea Building Society.We use our Chorlton conveyancing practitioner but Chelsea Building Society advised that he's not listed on their approved list of member firms. It seems we are left with no choice but to instruct a Chelsea Building Society panel solicitor or retain our high street solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. The home loan issued to you is subject to its terms and conditions, a common one being that conveyancers will be on the Chelsea Building Society solicitor panel. in the past, most banks had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Chelsea Building Society

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build flat in Chorlton. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Chorlton

Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified.

Due to the input of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Chorlton in advance of appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor advised that some lenders will not issue a mortgage on a flying freehold house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Santander has different requirements from Halifax. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Chorlton. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Chorlton to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

How and when do I cover the costs of stamp duty chargeable for my Chorlton flat purchase?

The majority of conveyancing practitioners tend to complete a Land Transaction Return Form for you as part of your Chorlton conveyancing transaction for you to sign. On completion your solicitor will submit the Land Transaction Return Form to the Tax Authorities and - as long as they have the money - discharge any Stamp Duty liability on your behalf.