I am purchasing a brand new flat in Downend and my solicitor is advising me that she is duty bound to the bank to reveal incentives from the builder. The Estate Agents are hassling me to exchange contracts and I don't want to delay deal. Is my lawyer right?

You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your property lawyer. A precondition to being on a mortgage company panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook conditions. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified during conveyancing in Downend?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in Downend. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Downend is the location of the property. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Downend are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Downend you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Downend 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 premises.

My husband and I are FTB’s - had an offer accepted, but the agent informed us that the owners will only issue a contract if we use their recommended solicitors as they want a ‘quick sale’. Our preferred option is to instruct a family conveyancer used to conveyancing in Downend

We suspect that the owner is not behind this request. Should the owner require ‘a quick sale', alienating a motivated buyer is going to damage their objectives. Speak to the vendors direct and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to go, with mortgage lined up © you have nothing to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you are going to use your own,trusted Downend conveyancing lawyers - not the ones that will give their estate agent a kickback or meet his conveyancing targets demanded by corporate headquarters.

If instructed can a conveyancer remove someone from the title of my home in Downend ?

Removing or adding someone to the title of your home is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to appoint a lawyer to discuss your legal rights before you can proceed with a transfer of property. Contact us to book a free consultation with one a property lawyer