I am due to exchange buying a house in Freezywater but as a consequence of damage from the recent storms I have was able negotiate compensation from the current proprietors of six thousand pounds in the form of a deduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process however Coventry BS are not allowing this. Should they have been involved?

The solicitor being on a Coventry BS approved list is required to advise Coventry BS of any amendments to the sale price. If you were to refuse your solicitor to disclose the reduction to Coventry BS then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Coventry BS and you would have to appoint a new lawyer for your conveyancing in Freezywater.

I own a freehold premises in Freezywater yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Freezywater and has limited impact for conveyancing in Freezywater 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 new rentcharges post 1977.

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

Me and my brother own a semi-detached Edwardian house in Freezywater. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Skipton Building Society. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw a couple of entries: one for freehold, the second leasehold under the exact same address. Is it worth asking Skipton Building Society to clarify?

You need to read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Freezywater and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they remortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who carried out the work.

I need to find a conveyancing solicitor for residential conveyancing in Freezywater. I've land on a web site which seems to have the perfect answer If it is possible to get all the legals done via web that would be preferable. Do I need to be concerned? What are the potential pitfalls?

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?

A conveyancing company acted on my conveyancing in Freezywater 5 years ago and was holding my registration documents but has now closed – how do I get hold of these?

Deeds, as such, are no longer appropriate for the majority of properties in Freezywater are registered electronically at Land Registry. Should you need to prove ownership or are selling or re-mortgaging your solicitor should obtain up to date copies of the register from the Land Registry in any case.

If you feel there may be other documents or you have any other queries please e-mail your request with details of the transaction and documents you need to filerequest@clc-uk.org. The CLC will let you know what information they have and any additional information they may need before they are in a position to identify and send the documents to you. Following an intervention it may take some time for the CLC to access archived files and documents, but your request will be actioned with reasonable haste.