I was advised today by my mortgage broker that my Forest Gate lawyer is not on the bank Solicitor panel. How can I be sure if this is correct?

The best course of action for you to take is to contact your Forest Gate conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to notify you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they may be able to suggest a Forest Gate conveyancing firm that is on the conveyancing panel for your lender.

What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Forest Gate? Why is this being asked of me?

Forest Gate conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers accross the UK have a duty under money laundering regulations to verify the identity of any client in order to satisfy themselves that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to produce two forms of certified ID; proof of identity (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (usually a Bank Statement less than 3 months old).

Proof of the origin of monies is also required in accordance with the money laundering statutes as lawyers have a duty to investigate that the money you are using to acquire a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase monies where you are a cash purchaser) has come from an acceptable source (such as an inheritance) as opposed to the product of illegitimate behaviour.

I am purchasing a right to buy a flat in Forest Gate. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Forest Gate you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Forest Gate.

I am purchasing a new build house in Forest Gate with the aid of help to buy. The developers would not budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent advised me not reveal to my lawyer about this deal as it could jeopardize my mortgage with Bank of Scotland. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder 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.

I decided to have a survey done on a house in Forest Gate ahead of retaining lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold aspect to the property. The surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will not issue a loan on a flying freehold home.

It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements for example to Birmingham Midshires. Should you wish to call us we can check via the relevant lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Forest Gate. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.