I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Bampton but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Bampton and has limited impact for conveyancing in Bampton 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 have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment 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 purchasing a garden flat in Bampton. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Bampton you will have to appoint a solicitor on your bank's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Bampton.
My wife and I buying a victorian detached house in Bampton. The intention is to carry out an extension to the side at the property.Will legal conveyancing on the property involve checks to determine if these works are permitted?
Your solicitor should review the deeds as conveyancing in Bampton will on occasion identify restrictions in the title documents which prevent categories of works or need the consent of a 3rd party. Some additions require local authority planning consent and approval in compliance with building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor before you commit yourself to a purchase.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Bampton off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Nationwide. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. 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 Nationwide, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel.
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in Bampton. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about the lender. How does one go about formally complaining?
Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. In most cases complaints to a lender are sorted out effectively and efficiently. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.
I am buying a house and the lawyer has raised the issue of Chancel Repair to which the house may be obligated to contribute to because it falls into the area of such a church. He has suggested insurance. Is this really necessary for conveyancing in Bampton
Unless a prior purchase of the property completed after 12 October 2013 you could assume that solicitors delivering conveyancing in Bampton to remain encouraging a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.
I purchased a terraced Victorian house in Bampton. Conveyancing solicitor acted for me and Santander. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold with the exact same property. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?
You should 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 Bampton and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage 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 work.
My husband and I plan to purchase our first house in Bampton. Conveyancing lawyer already appointed. The financial consultant pointed out that a survey is not appropriate as the property was only built 22 years ago.
At the very least you should have a Home Buyer's Report. As the property was built over a decade ago the property will not benefit from a warranty, so you don't want to take a risk. For a property that age with no signs of defects a Home Buyer's report may be sufficient. The report should highlight any obvious issues and recommend additional investigation if relevant. Where there are any signs of material issues obtain a full structural survey.