I own a freehold property in Whitehaven but nevertheless pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Whitehaven and has limited impact for conveyancing in Whitehaven 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.
Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be extinguished.
How do I check that the solicitor carrying out my conveyancing in Whitehaven is on the lender’sconveyancing panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Britannia thus paying £187.00 plus VAT in supplemental conveyancing fees.
Please do take advantage of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this page. Pick the lender and type ‘Whitehaven’ or your preferred area and you will discover numerous conveyancers offices in Whitehaven or by proximity to you.
My colleague advised me that where I am purchasing in Whitehaven I should carry out 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 Whitehaven conveyancing searches. It is not a small document of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Whitehaven around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Whitehaven Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average Property Price, Crime details, Whitehaven Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data about Whitehaven.
My wife and I own a renovated Edwardian property in Whitehaven. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Barclays Direct. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: the first freehold, another for leasehold with the matching property. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??
You should assess the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Whitehaven and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the work.
I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Whitehaven for my house move. Is there any facility to see a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
One may search for published Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions from 2008 onwards. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For records Pre 2008, or to check a firm's record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.
Should one remove a departed person's name from the title deeds for a house in Whitehaven?
Where a Whitehaven property is co-owned and one of the owners dies, their name will not immediately be removed from the Land Registry title. You are not required to amend the title as in the event of a sale your lawyer would simply need to evidence as to the reason the other proprietor is missing from the conveyance, typically this is in the form of the probate documents.
With the aim of making things more straight forward for the sale of the property you may arrange to have the deceased person erased from the title register by submitting an application to the land registry with proof of the death. There is no land registry fee payable.