I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Corby yet invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It is rare for properties in Corby and has limited impact for conveyancing in Corby 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 date back hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
Can you point me to a directory of RBS panel solicitors in Corby on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?
No. There is no such facility on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings visible on the web. If you are looking for a Corby conveyancing practitioner on the RBS please make the most of our facility.
I've digested plenty of house buying guides, I note that it is considered advisable to get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my local Corby solicitor - who is on the TSB conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. Is that normal?
TSB will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually TSB will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own Corby surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller.
After what feels like an age I have had an offer on an apartment in Corby agreed to, the sellers do nevertheless have a dependent purchase. The owners have offered on somewhere, however it’s not been accepted yet, and are looking at other properties in the pipeline. I have selected a local conveyancing solicitor in Corby. What should be my next step? At what stage should I apply for the mortgage with Aldermore?
It is normal to have apprehensions where there is a chain as you are unlikely to want to be too out of pocket too early (home loan application is in the region of £1k, then valuation, Corby conveyancing search charges, etc). First, you must check that your solicitor is on the Aldermore conveyancing panel. Regarding the next phase this very much dictated by the uniqueness of your transaction, desire for the property and on the state of the market. In a buoyant market some home buyers will apply for the mortgage with Aldermore and arrange for the valuation and only if it comes back ok would they request their property lawyer to press on with the conveyancing in Corby.
Should my conveyancer be asking questions about flooding as part of the conveyancing in Corby.
The risk of flooding is if increasing concern for lawyers conducting conveyancing in Corby. There are those who buy a property in Corby, fully expectant that at some time, it may suffer from flooding. However, aside from the physical damage, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable insurance cover, or sell the premises. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the purchaser.
Solicitors are not best placed to impart advice on flood risk, but there are a various searches that can be carried out by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which should give them a better understanding of the risks in Corby. The conventional set of completed inquiry forms given to a buyer’s lawyer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a usual question of the vendor to discover if the property has ever been flooded. In the event that flooding has previously occurred which is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer could issue a legal claim for losses as a result of such an incorrect answer. A purchaser’s solicitors may also order an environmental report. This should disclose whether there is any known flood risk. If so, more detailed investigations should be conducted.
I used Stirling Law a few years ago for my conveyancing in Corby. I now require my papers however the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?
You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Corby of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.
My father-in-law has suggested that I instruct his conveyancers in Corby. Should I use them?
No doubt it’s preferable to find a conveyancing practitioner is to get feedback from friends or family who have experience in using the solicitor you're considering.
My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Corby. I need to find out if they are listed on the lender's approved list of lawyers. Could you or the lender confirm if they are on the panel?
One option is to phone your lawyer and ask them if they are on the bank's panel. If that does not help call us and we can investigate and revert. If they are not on the bank panel we can certainly arrange a specialist conveyancing solicitor in Corby on the approved list for your lender.