Can you help? My Camborne conveyancer is advising me that he has toapply for Camborne conveyancing searches resulting from the fact thatthe firm are on the Lloydsapproved lawyer panel. These Camborne searches cost a lot of money can this be avoided?

Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with a bank your solicitor has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your conveyancing practitioner would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to comply with the CML Handbook specifications . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Camborne conveyancing searches.

I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Camborne but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Camborne and has limited impact for conveyancing in Camborne 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 generation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

The deeds to our property are lost. The lawyers who dealt with the conveyancing in Camborne 5 years ago are no longer around. Will I be able to sell the house?

Nowadays there are copies made of almost everything, and your conveyancer will be aware exactly where to look for all the appropriate documentation so you may purchase or dispose of your house without any difficulty. Where copies are not available, your lawyer may be able to arrange cover in the form of insurance or indemnities protecting you against possible claims on the premises.

I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £235,500 and found one round the corner in Camborne I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, however it's only got 51 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Camborne suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a mortgage the remaining unexpired lease term will likely be an issue. Reduce the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for a minimum of 2 years you could ask them to commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing solicitor regarding this.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Camborne. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Camborne are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Camborne so you should seriously consider looking for a Camborne conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the freeholder’spermission to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will advise you fully on all the issues.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Camborne - A selection of Queries Prior to Purchasing

Who is in charge of the block? Can you inform me if there are any major works on the horizon that will increase the service charges?