I purchased a freehold residence in Croydon yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Croydon and has limited impact for conveyancing in Croydon 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Previous 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.
We are buying a flat in Croydon. I might seem paranoid but how we can trust a solicitor? At some point we will need to deposit money into their account. What is the protection we have from them run away with our deposit?
Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.
I am buying a 4 bedroom semi-detached house in Croydon. We would like to carry out an extension to the side at the house.Will the conveyancing process involve enquiries to determine if these alterations are permitted?
Your property lawyer should check the deeds as conveyancing in Croydon can occasionally identify restrictions in the title deeds which restrict categories of alterations or necessitated the consent of a 3rd party. Many extensions call for local authority planning consent and approval in accordance building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. It would be sensible to check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.
Completion of my purchase has taken place for my property in Croydon. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about the lender. How do I make a complaint?
Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Services Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. If you feel the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
My friend advised me that where I am purchasing in Croydon I should ask my conveyancer to perform a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?
This is a search is occasionally quoted for as part of the standard Croydon conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out significant information about Croydon around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Croydon Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime statistics, Croydon Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful data concerning Croydon.
Due to the advice of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Croydon before appointing conveyancers. I have been told that there is a flying freehold overhang to the house. Our surveyor has said that some banks tend refuse to issue a loan on a flying freehold property.
It varies from the lender to lender. HSBC has different requirements from Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can investigate further via the appropriate mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Croydon. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Croydon especially if they are accustomed to such properties in Croydon.
I am looking for a conveyancing practitioner in Croydon for my house move. Can I review a firm’s record with the legal regulator?
You can see presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from inquisitions started on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could recorded call for training reasons.
My friend mentioned that before choosing a conveyancing firm they must be approved by your lender. It happens to be my first house move but I have an offer in principle via Nat West Bank and I already have a family conveyancing lawyer in Croydon lined up. Does Virgin Money insist on an approved solicitor to be instructed? If so, where can I find that list so I can pick a conveyancing lawyer in Croydon?
You need to choose a solicitor that is on the Virgin Money panel. Just ring your preferred Croydon conveyancing solicitor to check if they are on the Virgin Money panel. If they are not approved you have a couple of options open to you here:
- Proceed with your existing Croydon conveyancer but Virgin Money will no doubt instruct a solicitor on their approved list. The net result is additional cost and likely frustration.
- Get a fresh solicitor to act in the purchase, obviously checking they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.
- Convince your lawyer to do everything possible to join the Virgin Money panel of solicitors.