I purchased a freehold premises in Charmouth yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Charmouth and has limited impact for conveyancing in Charmouth 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 from 1977 onwards.
Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be extinguished.
I am about to put an offer on a leasehold flat in Charmouth. The selling agents assure me that it is the norm for flats in Charmouth to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am getting a mortgage with Tesco Bank. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has 72 years remaining.
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are getting a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Tesco Bank have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 12/8/2025 the requirements read as follows :
How does conveyancing in Charmouth differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Charmouth approach us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because developers in Charmouth usually buy the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Charmouth or who has acted in the same development.
I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £305k and identified one near me in Charmouth I like with open areas and railway links nearby, however it's only got 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Charmouth for this price, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake purchasing a lease with such few years left?
If you require a home loan the shortness of the lease will be an issue. Reduce the price by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least twenty four months you may ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the current lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor about this.
I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Charmouth for my home move. Is there any facility to check a solicitor's record with the profession’s regulator?
Members of the public can find published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from investigations from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's record, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training reasons.
I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Charmouth. Before diving in I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.
If the lease is registered - and most are in Charmouth - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title. For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Charmouth - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing
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Is there a share of the freehold? Does this lease have more than 80 years remaining? What is the name of the managing agents?