I require conveyancing for a flat in a fairly new development (6 years built) in Highworth. Almost all the properties have already been disposed of. Is it strictly necessary to order conveyancing searches for my conveyancing in Highworth?

You are opening yourself up to an unnecessary risk in not carrying out Highworth conveyancing searches. Without searches you have no clarity over flooding, environmental etc which may mean you walk away due to potential problems down the line. If you are buying mortgage free there is no legal necessity to have them, but we would seriously advise in the strongest possible terms that you have them. If speed and cost are primary concerns you should discuss with your solicitor about the possibility of search insurance

I used Arc property Solicitors several years ago for my conveyancing in Highworth. I now require my file however the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Highworth of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Highworth benefiting from help to buy. The builders would not budge the price so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The property agent suggested that I not disclose to my conveyancer about this extras as it may impact my mortgage with Virgin Money. Is this normal?.

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.

I am looking for a conveyancing practitioner in Highworth for my home move. Is there any facility to review a firm’s record with the legal regulator?

You may review presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions started on or after 1 January 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA could monitor telephone calls for training requirements.

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Highworth conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Highworth conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Highworth conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be helpful:

If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

Highworth Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should ask before buying

Plenty Highworth leasehold flats will be liable to pay a service bill for the upkeep of the building set by the landlord. Where you purchase the apartment you will have to pay this liability, usually in instalments throughout the year. This could vary from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for large purpose-built blocks. In all probability there will be a rentcharge to be met yearly, this is usually not a exorbitant amount, say around £50-£100 but you should to enquire it because occasionally it can be prohibitively expensive. Is the freehold owned collectively by the leaseholders? The best form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this situation the leaseholders have control and although a managing agent is often employed if the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.