I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Greenwich but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Greenwich and has limited impact for conveyancing in Greenwich 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 creation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
I am about to put an offer on a leasehold property in Greenwich. The property agents assure me that it is standard for flats in Greenwich to have less than 75 years remaining. I am obtaining a loan with Chelsea Building Society. Is this going to be a problem if the lease has Seventy One years to go.
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. Chelsea Building Society have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 20/8/2025 the requirements read as follows :
I am purchasing my first flat in Greenwich with a mortgage from Barclays . The builders would not reduce the price so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of extras instead. The property agent told me not inform my solicitor about this side-deal as it may affect my mortgage with Barclays . Should I keep quiet?.
All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder 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.
Am I right to be suspicious that estate agents that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use an online conveyancing firm rather than a local Greenwich conveyancing firm?
As with lots of service providers, often suggestions from connections can be extremely useful or valuable. But there are numerous players in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, financial adviser and mortgage companies may suggest solicitors to select. Sometimes the lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but sometimes there might be a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to select your preferred conveyancer. You need to be aware that the majority of banks specify a panel list of conveyancers you must use for the lender aspect of your conveyancing.
Back In 2003, I bought a leasehold flat in Greenwich. Conveyancing and Halifax mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1997. The conveyancing solicitor in Greenwich who acted for me is not around. Do I pay?
The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Greenwich conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
My wife and I have hit a brick wall in trying to purchase the freehold in Greenwich. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?
Where there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide the sum to be paid.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Greenwich residence is 73 Walerand Road in August 2012. the result of the findings of the Tribunal led to a premium to be paid for the extended lease in respect of Flat 73 in the sum of £10,040. The premium applicable in respect of Flat 85 was £5,710. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The unexpired lease term was 72 years.
Is there a distinction between surveying and conveyancing in Greenwich?
Conveyancing - in Greenwich or anywhere in England and Wales - is the legal term given to transferring legal title of property from one person to another. It therefore includes the checking of the title. Whether buying or selling, you should be aware of anything affecting the property such as proposals by government departments, illegal buildings, or outstanding rates. The conveyancer should conduct the appropriate searches and inquiries on the property. Surveying relates to the structure of a property itself. A surveyor will look at a house, flat and any outbuildings you’re intending to buy and will help you discover the condition of the building and, if there are problems, give you a powerful reason for negotiating the buying price down or asking the vendor to fix the defects before you move in.