I own a freehold property in County Durham but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in County Durham and has limited impact for conveyancing in County Durham 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 creation 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 will be dispensed with completely.

I bought my flat on 8 January and the transaction details is yet to be registered. Need I be worried? My conveyancing solicitor in County Durham said it should be registered inside ten days. Are transfers in County Durham uniquely lengthy to register?

As far as conveyancing in County Durham registration is no faster or slower than anywhere else in the country. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timeframes can vary depending on the party submitting the application, whether it is in order and if the Land registry have to notify any third parties. At present approximately 80% of submission are fully addressed in less than three weeks but occasionally there can be protracted hold-ups. Historically registration occurs after the purchaser is living at the property so 'speed' is not usually primary concern yet if it is urgent that the the registration takes place urgently then you or your lawyers could communicate with the Registry to express the reasoning for the application to be prioritised.

I am buying a new build house in County Durham benefiting from help to buy. The sellers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of extras instead. The house builders rep advised me not disclose to my solicitor about this deal as it could impact my mortgage with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I need to retain a conveyancing solicitor for purchase conveyancing in County Durham. I have chance upon a web site which appears to be the perfect offering If it is possible to get all the legals completed via email that would be ideal. Should I be wary? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

I have noted on various online forums that when choosing a conveyancing solicitors they need approved by your lender. It happens to be my first house move but I have an AIP via Nat West Bank and I already have a family conveyancing solicitor in County Durham lined up. Will Virgin Money insist on an approved solicitor to be selected? Does a directory of approved firms even exist for my conveyancing in County Durham?

You should instruct a solicitor that is on the Virgin Money panel. The first thing to do is telephone your preferred County Durham conveyancing lawyer to check if they are on the Virgin Money panel. If they are not approved you have numerous choices open to you here:

• Complete the deal with your preferred County Durham conveyancing practitioner but Virgin Money will need to use a conveyancing practitioner from their conveyancing panel. This will result in additional charges and potential interruption.
• Appoint a fresh conveyancer to conduct the conveyancing, making sure they are on the Virgin Money conveyancing panel.
• Convince your conveyancer to apply to join the lender panel.