Our son-in-law is about to exchange on a new build apartment in Alsager with a home loan from TSB. His solicitor has advised him of 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 TSB 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 TSB 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 told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Alsager. My lender is Virgin
Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 26/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :
My aunt advised me that in purchasing a property in Alsager there could be a number of restrictions affecting the ability to carry out external changes to the property. Is this right?
We are aware of anumerous of properties in Alsager which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to external variations. Part of the conveyancing in Alsager should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Alsager. I have a mortgage offer with Coventry BS. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use 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 Coventry BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.
Skipton have agreed my mortgage in principle, my bid on a flat in Alsager has been accepted, what happens next?
The property agent will want to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the conveyancing practitioners are on the lender’s panel). Telephone Skipton or your financial adviser and finalise any outstanding documentation. Skipton will instruct a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or vendor to arrange a time for the valuation to take place. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes on average a week for the mortgage offer to be issued. Skipton will issue the offer to you and your lawyers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Alsager.
I have been told that property searches are the number one reason for delay in Alsager house deals. Is this right?
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published findings of a review by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the most frequent causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are not likely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in Alsager.
I am purchasing my first flat in Alsager with the aid of help to buy. The developers refused to move on the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The sale representative suggested that I not inform my lawyer about this deal as it could affect my mortgage with TSB. Should I keep quiet?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer 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've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in a fortnight ago in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Alsager is the location of the property. Is there any guidance you can impart?
Flying freeholds in Alsager are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Alsager you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Alsager may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.