Are the BSA planning on creating a searchable register to list practices on the Melton Mowbray Building Society conveyancing panel for example in Highbury?

We have not been informed any intention on the part of the BSA to develop such a tool.

I note that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Am I compelled to take this when acquiring a residence in Highbury? or I am told that there is an ancient law that means some house owners residing in a parish church boundary may be liable to contribute towards repairs to the chancel within the church. Is this a legitimate concern for conveyancing in Highbury?

Unless a previous purchase of the property completed after 12 October 2013 you can assume that lawyers carrying out conveyancing in Highbury to continue to advocate a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.

Despite weeks of looking the Title Certificate and documents to our house can not be found. The lawyers who handled the conveyancing in Highbury 10 years ago have long since closed. What are my next steps?

In today’s world there are duplicates made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware precisely where to find all the relevant paperwork so you can purchase or dispose of your property without a hitch. If copies are not available, your lawyer may be able to put in place insurance or indemnities against future claims on your property.

I am purchasing a new build house in Highbury with a loan from Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. The developers refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The sale representative suggested that I not reveal to my solicitor about the extras as it will adversely affect my mortgage with Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

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.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and found one close by in Highbury I like with a park and station in the vicinity, the downside is that it only has 52 remaining years left on the lease. There is not much else in Highbury in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a home loan the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you could request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this matter.