I purchased a freehold residence in New Barnet yet invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in New Barnet and has limited impact for conveyancing in New Barnet 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 creation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be extinguished.
I am selling my house in New Barnet. Will the lawyer have to be required to be on the Principality conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Principality conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. It might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their specifications fairly frequently in recent years.
I am planning to move house in September. Will my conveyancing solicitor communicate with the removal company on the day of completion. As an aside, can you recommend a removal company in New Barnet. Conveyancing firm was found before I stumbled across your website.
On the afternoon of completion you can pick up the house keys from the selling agent however this should only occur when the vendors conveyancers confirm to the agent that they acknowledge receipt of the completion payment and the keys can be released. You can tell the removal men that you are ready to move in. As a matter of policy we do not recommend a particular removal company but can help you find a residential property solicitor in New Barnet or a legal practice that specialises in conveyancing in New Barnet.
I had an offer accepted on a property in New Barnet on 29/4/2025, valuation was booked five days later, all came back fine. Conveyancer instructed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Principality and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Principality conveyancing panel. Can the lender hold off the offer?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Principality to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Principality conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
I've read lots of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local New Barnet solicitor - who is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
Yorkshire BS will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Yorkshire BS will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own New Barnet surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
Am I right to be concerned by brokers that I am dealing with are suggesting a national conveyancing firm rather than a High Street New Barnet conveyancing firm?
As is the case with many service providers, often input from family and friends can be worth their weight in gold. But there are many players in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, financial adviser and banks may recommend lawyers to retain. On occasion the lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as experts in their field, but occasionally there behind the scenes financial incentive behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to choose your preferred conveyancer. You need to be aware that most banks have an approved list of solicitors you must use for the lender aspect of your conveyancing.
My father-in-law has suggested that I appoint his lawyers for conveyancing in New Barnet. Should I choose my own property lawyer?
Much as we are happy to recommend a New Barnet conveyancing lawyer it’s preferable to find a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or relatives who have used the conveyancer that you are are thinking of instructing.
What advice can you give us when it comes to appointing a New Barnet conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?
If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a New Barnet conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non New Barnet conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:
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If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason? Can they put you in touch with clients in New Barnet who can give a testimonial?
I have given up trying to purchase the freehold in New Barnet. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?
in cases where there is a absentee landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant legislation it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to assess the price payable.
An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a New Barnet premises is Flat 2 2 Netherfield Road in April 2010. The Tribunale held that premium payable for a 90 year extension to the existing Lease should be £7,705. This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 76 years.