I own a freehold residence in Washington but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Washington and has limited impact for conveyancing in Washington 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 establishment of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 will be dispensed with completely.
About to place a bid on a leasehold property in Washington. The property agents say that it is standard for flats in Washington to have less than 75 years unexpired on the lease. I am expecting a mortgage with Accord Mortgages. Will the property be mortgageable given that 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. Accord Mortgages have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 4/5/2026 the requirements read as follows :
I am being told by my lawyer that flying freehold insurance is needed on my purchase. What is the typical level of cover needed for conveyancing in Washington?
The right level of flying freehold indemnity insurance depends on who your lender is. It would differ for example between Halifax and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society. Conveyancing lawyers as opposed to members of the public take out such insurances.
is it true that all Washington solicitor firms on the Barclays conveyancing panel are regulated by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the Barclays conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do list licenced conveyancers on their panel and in such a situation the practice would be overseen by the CLC.
Can I be sure that the Washington conveyancing solicitor on the Bank of Ireland panel is any good?
When it comes to conveyancing in Washington seeking recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead, check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also, you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more, will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always suggest that you speak with the lawyer handling your conveyancing.
A friend advised me that if I am purchasing in Washington I should ask my conveyancer to execute a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is usually included in the estimate for your Washington conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Washington around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Washington Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Washington Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about Washington.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Washington is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?
Flying freeholds in Washington are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Washington you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Washington may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.
My cousin has urged me to instruct his conveyancers in Washington. Should I use them?
Much as we are happy to recommend a Washington conveyancing lawyer the ideal way to find a conveyancing solicitor is to get referrals from friends or relatives who have actually previously instructed the solicitor you're contemplating using.