I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Stocksfield but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Stocksfield and has limited impact for conveyancing in Stocksfield 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 generation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
I am considering applying for a Virgin Money mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) in Stocksfield with 65 per cent loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Virgin Money ?
In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel, but Virgin Money would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.
My partner and I are close to exchanging contracts on the sale of our home in Stocksfield and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being built land that was not decontaminated. Any local lawyer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers are using an online conveyancing outfit as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in Stocksfield. We have lived in Stocksfield for three years we know that this is a non issue. Is it a good idea to get in touch with our local Authority to seek confirmation that there is no issue.
It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing lawyer currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You must check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)
The deeds to my property are lost. The conveyancers who handled the conveyancing in Stocksfield 10 years ago no longer exist. What do I do?
Assuming you have a registered title the information relating to your ownership will be retained by HMLR with a Title Number. It is easy to perform a search at the Land Registry, find your house and obtain current copies of the Registered Entries for a small fee. Where the title is Leasehold then the Land Registry will also normally hold a file copy of the Registered Lease and again, a copy can be ordered for twenty pounds.
I was recommended by three or four local property agents in Stocksfield to locate a solicitor using your seach tool. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to promote your site rather than another?
We don’t offer any financial incentive for directing people in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because a client could think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.
As co-executor for the estate of my uncle I am selling a house in Cardiff but I am based in Stocksfield. My solicitor (approximately 300 miles from meneeds me to sign a statutory declaration before the transaction finalising. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Stocksfield who can attest and place their company stamp on the document?
Technically speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or qualified solicitor will do regardless of whether they are located in Stocksfield