My son-in-law is about to exchange on a newly built flat in Old Ford with a home loan from Yorkshire BS. His solicitor has said that there is a delay in completing the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. This document is news to me - what is it and who needs sight of it?

The document is intended to provide information to the main parties engaged in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when asked. The developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it. The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

My husband and I are hoping to buy a newly converted apartment in Old Ford with a loan from Aldermore.We use our Old Ford conveyancing solicitor but Aldermore informed us she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint a Aldermore panel lawyer or keep our high street solicitor and fork out for a Aldermore panel lawyer to act for them. We feel as though this is unjust; is there anything we can do?

Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, a common one being that solicitors must be on the Aldermore solicitor panel. Until recently, most banks had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Aldermore

Should our lawyer be making enquiries concerning flooding during the conveyancing in Old Ford.

Flooding is a growing risk for solicitors carrying out conveyancing in Old Ford. There are those who acquire a house in Old Ford, completely expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical destruction, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or dispose of the premises. Steps can be carried out during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Conveyancers are not qualified to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a number of checks that can be initiated by the buyer or by their conveyancers which can figure out the risks in Old Ford. The conventional set of property information forms given to a buyer’s lawyer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) includes a standard question of the vendor to determine if the property has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred and is not revealed by the vendor, then a purchaser may commence a legal claim for losses resulting from an misleading reply. A purchaser’s conveyancers will also order an enviro search. This will higlight if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional inquiries will need to be conducted.

My business partner and I are wishing to lease a unit on the high street. Can you recommend solicitors offering no-sale-no fees for commercial conveyancing in Old Ford for less than 2k?

We can recommend firms who have well rounded knowledge of commercial conveyancing in Old Ford, including the sale and purchase of businesses as well as simply premises. Whether you are hoping to purchase or dispose of a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail unit or a complete business we will put you in touch with the right solicitor. Regarding the costs these will vary based on the structure and terms of the deal. Please provide us with your details or phone so as to enable us to furnish you with a detailed commercial conveyancing calculation.

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Old Ford for my sale. Can I see a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?

Members of the public can read published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.