My partner and I are purchasing a newly constructed flat in East Coker and my conveyancer is advising me that she is duty bound to the bank to disclose incentives from the seller. I am nearing the developer’s deadline to exchange contracts and my preference is not to prolong the conveyancing. is my lawyer playing by the book?
You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on a lender panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook specifications. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
I purchased a freehold premises in East Coker but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in East Coker and has limited impact for conveyancing in East Coker 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of new rentcharges post 1977.
Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in East Coker. My lender is Platform
Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 26/5/2025, the requirements read as follows :
I have justfound out that Wolstenholmes have closed. They conducted my conveyancing in East Coker for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 10 months ago. How can I be sure that the property is in my name in the name of the previous owner?
The easiest method to see if the property is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of East Coker conveyancing specialists.
Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in East Coker before retaining lawyers. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold overhang to the property. My surveyor advised that some banks may not give a mortgage on a flying freehold premises.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements for example to Nationwide. If you call us we can check via the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in East Coker. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in East Coker especially if they regularly deal with such properties in East Coker.
Do I cancel my mortgage payments with HSBC as soon as a completion date for my home sale in East Coker has been agreed?
You would be well advised to continue paying any mortgage sums to HSBC pending the mortgage being repaid on completion as part of your East Coker conveyancing.