I plan on purchasing an apartment in Writtle. My Solicitor is not on the bank approved list. Is it possible for me to appoint my Writtle conveyancing solicitor even though they are not on the mortgage company panel?
You must have a lawyer to deal with the legal work required when you need a loan to purchase your property. They will conduct all the appropriate investigations on the property, make sure that you will be registered as proprietor and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is in order. One may appoint a Writtle lawyer of your choice. However, where the lawyer selected is not on the mortgage company approved list further charges will arise as separate legal representation will be required by them. Bank panel applications can be submitted, so where your solicitor has not previously applied for membership they should take the opportunity to apply.
I own a freehold house in Writtle yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Writtle and has limited impact for conveyancing in Writtle 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 creation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.
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 dispensed with completely.
I appreciate that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Am I compelled to have this when buying a property in Writtle? or Apparently there is a law dating back centuries that could mean that homeowners residing in a parish church boundary may be liable to contribute towards maintenance towards the chancel in proximity to the church. Is this appropriate for conveyancing in Writtle?
Unless a previous purchase of the house took place after 12 October 2013 you could expect solicitors carrying out conveyancing in Writtle to continue to suggest a chancel search and or chancel repair liability insurance.
My wife and I own a 4 bedroom Georgian house in Writtle. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Platform Home Loans Ltd. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two 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 read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Writtle and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the position with the conveyancing solicitor who conducted the conveyancing.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a house I put an offer in last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Writtle is the location of the property. Can you offer any opinion?
Flying freeholds in Writtle are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Writtle you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Writtle may ascertain 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.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the mortgage company conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the bank approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the bank conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the bank solicitor panel.