I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Highgate yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Highgate and has limited impact for conveyancing in Highgate 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 date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of new rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be dispensed with completely.
I am buying a new build flat in Highgate. Can I do my own conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Highgate you will have to appoint a solicitor on your mortgage company'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 Highgate.
How does conveyancing in Highgate differ for newly converted properties?
Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Highgate come to us having been asked by the seller to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is constructed. This is because builders in Highgate usually buy the site, 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 property lawyers 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 accustomed to new build conveyancing in Highgate or who has acted in the same development.
How difficult is it to swap firm as I need to retain one who is on the Skipton Building Society conveyancing list. I had appointed a local conveyancing solicitor in Highgate round the corner but he is not approved by Skipton Building Society
It would be our pleasure to help you select a conveyancing solicitor in Highgate on the Skipton Building Society panel. Please note that the property lawyers that we work with do not pay us commission if you instruct them and are authorised and regulated by the SRA who oversee all conveyancing solicitors in Highgate. Using the find a conveyancing solicitor tool on this site, you can scrutinise charges for conveyancing solicitors in Highgate and throughout England and Wales.
Am I best advised to choose a Highgate conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am buying? An old friend can carry out the legal formalities but his firm is located approximately 350miles away.
The benefit of a local Highgate conveyancing firm is that you can drop in to sign documents, hand in your ID and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local insight which is a bonus. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust used your friend and the majority were impressed that must outweigh using an unknown Highgate conveyancing solicitor just because they are round the corner.
What type of property do your Highgate conveyancing quotes apply to?
Our conveyancing quotes are only applicable to standard residential homes in England & Wales. Should you have any different needs such as industrial or agricultural land or commercial conveyancing in Highgate you should telephone us to consider this further .