My financial adviser has requested my Taplow law firm’s panel reference for the Nationwide conveyancing panel. How do I discover this. I have contacted my local Taplow office but they have not got back to me yet.

The sensible thing to do is ask for this information from your Taplow . Most Taplow law firms will retain a file or database of lender panel information which would include, if applicable, their conveyancing panel details for each bank.

All was ready to move into my new home in Taplow next Monday. I have now been asked to send a copy of my building insurance schedule by my solicitor as he says that he has to check this in his capacity as lawyer for the mortgage company. What risks does the lender expect the insurance to cover?

All property lawyers on acting for banks would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in a lender’s Part 2 instructions. These requirements are not unique to conveyancing in Taplow.

Should our solicitor be making enquiries concerning flooding as part of the conveyancing in Taplow.

The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers dealing with homes in Taplow. Some people will acquire a property in Taplow, completely aware that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, leaving to one side the physical damage, if a property is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or dispose of the premises. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Conveyancers are not qualified to offer advice on flood risk, but there are a number of checks that can be carried out by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which should give them a better appreciation of the risks in Taplow. The standard property information forms given to a buyer’s conveyancer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) includes a standard question of the seller to discover whether the property has historically flooded. If the residence has been flooded in past and is not disclosed by the owner, then a purchaser may commence a legal claim for losses as a result of such an inaccurate answer. A purchaser’s conveyancers will also carry out an enviro search. This will disclose whether there is any known flood risk. If so, further inquiries should be initiated.

I am buying a new build house in Taplow benefiting from help to buy. The builders refused to budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of additionals instead. The house builders rep told me not inform my lawyer about this deal as it would adversely affect my mortgage with the lender. Is this normal?.

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.

My uncle has recommend that I use his conveyancing solicitors in Taplow. Do I follow his recommendation?

No doubt the best way to find a conveyancing practitioner is to get guidance from friends or relatives who have previously instructed the conveyancer that you are contemplating using.