I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Hampton Wick yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Hampton Wick and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hampton Wick 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 extinguished.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Hampton Wick. I I would like to check whether they are accepted on the The Mortgage Works conveyancing panel. Could you advise?

You should contact your lawyer and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Otherwise you can get in touch with The Mortgage Works who may be able to confirm.

My colleague recommended that if I am buying in Hampton Wick I should ask my conveyancer to carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. Can you explain what the purpose of this search is?

This is a search is sometimes quoted for as part of the standard Hampton Wick conveyancing searches. It is a large document of about 40 pages, listing and detailing significant information about Hampton Wick around the property and the people living there. It incorporates an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the local Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the demographics of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Hampton Wick Education with plans and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information concerning Hampton Wick.

How does conveyancing in Hampton Wick differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Hampton Wick approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because builders in Hampton Wick usually purchase the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct property lawyers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Hampton Wick or who has acted in the same development.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Hampton Wick in advance of appointing lawyers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor has said that some banks tend refuse to grant a loan on this type of house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Lloyds has different instructions for example to Birmingham Midshires. If you call us we can check with the relevant bank. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in Hampton Wick. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Hampton Wick especially if they are familiar with such properties in Hampton Wick.