Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer in Chelsea is not identified on my lender's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the standard of his work?
It would be unwise to jump to that conclusion. There are plenty of reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator revealed 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) low volume of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Where you are concerned you should simply call the Chelsea conveyancing practice and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for your mortgage company.
I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Chelsea but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Chelsea and has limited impact for conveyancing in Chelsea 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 will be extinguished.
Do I need to pay for insurance to cover chancel repairs when buying a residence in Chelsea?
Unless a prior purchase of the premises completed post 12 October 2013 you can take it that conveyancing practitioners delivering conveyancing in Chelsea to continue to advocate a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.
In my capacity as executor for the estate of my aunt I am selling a property in Monmouth but I am based in Chelsea. My conveyancer (based 200 kilometers awayhas requested that I execute a statutory declaration ahead of the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Chelsea who can attest and place their company stamp on the document?
Technically speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily or notary public or qualified solicitor will do regardless of whether they are Chelsea based
I today plan to offer on a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Chelsea. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Chelsea ?
The majority of houses in Chelsea are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Chelsea so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Chelsea conveyancing practitioner and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the landlord’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.
I inherited a ground floor flat in Chelsea. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the sum payable for a lease extension?
Where there is a absentee freeholder or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to make a decision on the premium.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Chelsea residence is 150A Albert Palace Mansions Lurline Gardens in July 2013. The Tribunal determined that the premium payable for the new lease of the subject property was £42,069 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 57.06 years.
I bought a house in Chelsea last 28/6/2024 and to date it is still not recorded with the Land Registry. It is part of a new estate and my property lawyer told me that it may take twelve months to complete the registration formalities. I have contacted HM Land Registry directly and they say that the initial application was cancelled due to questions not being addressed in time. Should I be concerned?
It is your lawyer that you really need to turn to here in order to satisfy any issues which have been raised as part of the registration formalities for your Chelsea property. Normal Chelsea conveyancing practice includes an undertaking on the part of the seller's conveyancer that they will help resolve any requisition raised by HMLR so it may be a case of taking action to enforce that undertaking in some way.