My husband and I are intending to acquire a 2 bedroom flat in Chalfont St Peter with a mortgage. We have a Chalfont St Peter conveyancer, but the mortgage company says she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to use one of the lender panel firms or continue with our Chalfont St Peter solicitor and pay for one of their panel lawyers to act for them. We consider that this is inequitable; can we not demand that the lender use our Chalfont St Peter conveyancing practitioner ?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the lender’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Chalfont St Peter conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Please could you recommend a Britannia approved Chalfont St Peter conveyancing firm who can have us moved in within under 3 weeks? Would it be better to use a local Chalfont St Peter practice or a web based firm?
We would be happy to suggest some excellent Chalfont St Peter conveyancing firms. You can also walk up the main road in Chalfont St Peter. Visit some well established law practices and request to speak with a conveyancing solicitor for a fee estimate. Mention your time frames together with the reasons and ask for an assurance on your deadline. Select the lawyer that genuine.
I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Chalfont St Peter but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Chalfont St Peter and has limited impact for conveyancing in Chalfont St Peter 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 redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
Is it necessary to pay for insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when purchasing a residence in Chalfont St Peter?
Unless a prior purchase of the house completed after 12 October 2013 you can expect lawyers conducting conveyancing in Chalfont St Peter to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.
The deeds to my home are lost. The solicitors who did the conveyancing in Chalfont St Peter 10 years ago are no longer around. What do I do?
You no longer need to hold title original deeds to prove you own the land or property, as the Land Registry hold details of all registered land or property electronically.
I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in two weeks back in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Chalfont St Peter is where the house is located. Can you offer any opinion?
Flying freeholds in Chalfont St Peter are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Chalfont St Peter 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 Chalfont St Peter may determine 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.