Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Staffordshire. My lender is Platform

Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 13/5/2019, the requirements read as follows :

I'm buying a new build house in Staffordshire benefiting from help to buy. The developers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The sale representative told me not disclose to my lawyer about the side-deal as it will adversely affect my loan with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

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.

I have been recommended by numerous selling agents in Staffordshire to find a property lawyer using your seach tool. Is there a financial advantage for Estate Agents to offer your site over and above another?

We don’t make any commission for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission as a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I need to find a conveyancing solicitor for some conveyancing in Staffordshire. I happened to chance upon a web site which appears to be the ideal solution If there is a chance to get all the legals done via phone that would be preferable. Do I need to be concerned? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Staffordshire. Conveyancing and Platform Home Loans Ltd mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in Staffordshire who acted for me is not around. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Staffordshire conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. You should note that regardless, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I own a ground floor flat in Staffordshire, conveyancing formalities finalised 3 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Corresponding flats in Staffordshire with over 90 years remaining are worth £192,000. The ground rent is £55 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2073

You have 54 years unexpired we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £32,300 and £37,400 plus costs.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to provide the actual costs in the absence of comprehensive due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward placing reliance on this information before getting professional advice.