A relative informed me that in buying a property in Marlborough there may be a number of restrictions limiting what one can do in terms of external alterations to the property. Is this right?

There are a number of properties in Marlborough which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to carry out external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Marlborough should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

Can you point me to a directory of Virgin Money panel solicitors in Marlborough on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?

No. There is no such facility on the CML or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of banks make their panel listings viewable on the web. If you are seeking to appoint a Marlborough lawyer on the Virgin Money please use our tool.

I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Marlborough solicitor - who is on the Co-operative conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?

Co-operative will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Co-operative will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Marlborough surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.

I'm purchasing my first flat in Marlborough with a mortgage from Lloyds TSB Bank. The sellers would not budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent advised me not reveal to my solicitor about the deal as it would jeopardize my mortgage with the bank. 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.

Is it simple use your search app to get a fee calculation from a conveyancing lawyer in Marlborough on the panel for my mortgage?

1st choose a bank such as Yorkshire Building Society, Leeds Building Society or Bank of Ireland then type in your preferred area such as Marlborough. Conveyancing firms in Marlborough and further afield should be listed.

As co-executor for the will of my aunt I am selling a house in Newport but reside in Marlborough. My lawyer (approximately 200 kilometers from mehas requested that I execute a stat dec prior to the transaction finalising. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Marlborough to witness this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you should not need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or qualified solicitor will be fine regardless of whether they are Marlborough based

Due to complete next month on a garden flat in Marlborough. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Marlborough should include some of the following:

The total ownership of the demise. This will be the apartment itself but may include a attic or cellar if relevant. Details of the parties to the lease, e.g. these could be the tennant, superior lessor, landlord Does the lease prevent you from renting out the property, or having a home office for business The landlord’s rights to access the flat. You should be made aware that your landlord has rights of access as well as be informed how much notice must be provided. Repair and maintenance of the property

I own a leasehold flat in Marlborough, conveyancing having been completed December 2006. How much will my lease extension cost? Comparable flats in Marlborough with an extended lease are worth £195,000. The ground rent is £45 per annum. The lease runs out on 21st October 2088

You have 63 years remaining on your lease we estimate the premium for your lease extension to be between £16,200 and £18,600 plus legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action based on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.