I own a freehold property in Handsworth but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Handsworth and has limited impact for conveyancing in Handsworth 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 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 extinguished.
My mortgage company has recommended a law firm on their panel based in Handsworth but I would rather instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Handsworth or nearer to where I live. Can you assist?
The minority of Handsworth conveyancing solicitors are listed all lender’s conveyancing panel. Do make the most of our search tool to identify a Handsworth conveyancing firm on the on the bank panel.
Forgive me if this question is silly but I am new to the house moving as a first time buyer of a garden flat in Handsworth. Do I collect the keys to the premises on the completion date from my lawyer? If this is the case, I will use a local conveyancing solicitor in Handsworth?
On the day of completion you do not need to go to the conveyancers office in Handsworth. Conveyancing lawyers for you will transfer the purchase money to the vendor’s lawyers, and once they have received this, you should be able to receive the keys from the Estate Agents and move into your new home. This tends to happen early afternoon.
We previously chose conveyancing lawyers locally in Handsworth on the Clydesdale solicitor approved list. They have just invoiced me a supplemental fee for the legal aspects of the Clydesdale mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee set by Clydesdale?
As unfair as it may seem, as long as it’s in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitor can levy a fee for this. The fee is not set by Clydesdale but by your Handsworth property lawyer. Numerous firms on the Clydesdale panel will quote an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Handsworth off the council. I have a mortgage offer with Coventry BS. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Coventry BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.
Is it necessary to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when acquiring a house in Handsworth?
Unless a previous purchase of the property took place post 12 October 2013 you may assume that conveyancing practitioners delivering conveyancing in Handsworth to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.
I am thinking of appointing a conveyancing practitioner in Handsworth for my sale. Is it possible to check a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?
You may find documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations stemming from investigations commenced on or after 1 January 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. For information Pre 2008, or to check a solicitors history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes monitor telephone calls for training purposes.
We are in the middle of buying a property in Handsworth. Conveyancing solicitor has told us the property is "Leasehold". Will this likely impact our Halifax valuation?
Handsworth conveyancing does not in most situations involve leasehold houses. The key factor here is the unexpired lease term and the ground rent. If it's 999 years with a peppercorn rent, it's essentially freehold, so it’s unlikely to impact the marketability too much.
At the other extreme, if it's, say, 50 years it is bound to have a material impact on the saleability, and probably wouldn't be mortgageable. The length of lease and ground rent will be set out in the lease to be supplied to your lawyer.