Our son-in-law is buying a new build apartment in Walderslade with a mortgage from Leeds Building Society. His lawyer has said that there is a delay in receiving the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. What is this document - I have never come across this before?

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 Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the valuer 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 Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

My aunt passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor I was left the property in Walderslade. The house had a relatively small loan left on it of around £8000. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Lloyds, pay off the mortgage. Is this possible?

Given you plan to re-mortgage then Lloyds will require that you use a conveyancer on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Lloyds conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Lloyds mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.

I am buying a victorian detached house in Walderslade. The intention is to convert the garage to a playroom at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve checks to ascertain if these works are permitted?

Your property lawyer should check the registered title as conveyancing in Walderslade can occasionally identify restrictions in the title deeds which prevent certain alterations or require the permission of another owner. Some extensions call for local authority planning permissions and approval in compliance with building regulations. Many locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or impact extensions. It would be sensible to check these things with a surveyor prior to committing yourself to a purchase.

Can I be sure that the Walderslade conveyancing solicitor on the Clydesdale panel is any good?

When it comes to conveyancing in Walderslade getting recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advise that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Walderslade. I have a mortgage agreed with TSB. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with TSB, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the TSB conveyancing panel.

I have a semi-detached Georgian property in Walderslade. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Barclays Direct. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the matching address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Walderslade and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also check the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who conducted the purchase.

I am looking at a two apartments in Walderslade both have about 50 years remaining on the leases. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a right to use the premises for a period of time. As the lease gets shorter the saleability of the lease reduces and it becomes more expensive to extend the lease. For this reason it is advisable to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease as mortgage lenders may be unwilling to lend money on such properties. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We recommend you get professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena.

Walderslade Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before buying

On the whole the outlay for major works tend not to be incorporated into the service charges, although some managing agents in Walderslade obliged tenants to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for larger repairs or maintenance. How much is the ground rent and service charge? What is the name of the managing agents?