Our god-son is buying a new build apartment in Ottery St Mary with a mortgage from Nottingham. His conveyancer has advised him of a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. Who needs to receive the form?

The form is intended to provide information to the main parties involved in the purchase. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the Nottingham conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when requested. 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 Nottingham conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Ottery St Mary but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Ottery St Mary and has limited impact for conveyancing in Ottery St Mary but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges post 1977.

Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 will be extinguished.

I have been advised by numerous estate agents in Ottery St Mary to choose a property lawyer on your site. What’s the financial upside for Estate Agents to offer your services ahead of alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t give any commission for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We thought it would be too underhand a fee because home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.

In surfing the world wide web for the term conveyancing in Ottery St Mary it shows results of numerous property lawyersin the area. How do I determine which is the right property lawyer for my move?

The preferential way of seeking the right conveyancer is through a trusted referral, so ask colleagues and family who have bought a property in Ottery St Mary or the respected estate agent or mortgage broker. Fees for conveyancing in Ottery St Mary differ, so it's sensible to request at least three fee estimates from different conveyancers. Be sure to obtain confirmation that the fees are fixed.

Is there a reason that Ottery St Mary conveyancing fees are higher for leasehold and freehold properties?

Leasehold conveyancing in Ottery St Mary can involve additional due diligence for instance checking the lease, corresponding with the landlord, obtaining up to date rent receipts, landlord’s consents, management company’s accounts amongst other tasks.