I am need of leasehold conveyancing for a flat in a relatively new development (five years built) in Godmanchester. Almost all the appartments have already been sold. Is it really necessary to order local searches for my conveyancing in Godmanchester?

You would be opening yourself up to an unnecessary risk in not carrying out Godmanchester conveyancing searches. Without searches you have no clarity over flooding, environmental etc which may mean you walk away due to potential problems down the line. If you are buying without a mortgage there is no legal requirement to have them, but we would seriously advise in the strongest possible terms that your solicitor conducts them. Where accelerating the process and price are top of your concerns you should discuss with your solicitor about the option of search insurance

I used Wolstenholmes a few years ago for my conveyancing in Godmanchester. Now, I need my files however the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Godmanchester of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Godmanchester benefiting from help to buy. The builders would not reduce the amount so I negotiated 6k of fixtures and fittings instead. The property agent told me not inform my lawyer about the side-deal as it could jeopardize my mortgage with the bank. Is this normal?.

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.