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

It is rare for properties in Hatfield and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hatfield 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 extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 will be extinguished.

I am remortgaging my apartment in Hatfield, does my lawyer need to be on the Kent Reliance Solicitor panel?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel, but Kent Reliance would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

I'm converting the mortgage on my primary home to a buy to let mortgage with Alliance & Leicester and intend to use the remaining equity as a deposit on another property. The location we are interested in is Hatfield. Will your solicitors be able to act for the two banks and link together the two deals?

Make use of our search tool on this site to ensure that the solicitors are approved by both mortgage companies. Assuming that they are your lawyer will be able to tie up the two deals but you should have a chat with you lawyer and communicate your expectations and needs.

In surfing the internet for the words cheap conveyancing in Hatfield it brings up numerous solicitorsin the vicinity. How do I determine which is the suitable solicitor for my move?

The best method of finding the right conveyancer is via personal referral, so enquire of colleagues and those you trust who have bought a property in Hatfield or a local estate agent or financial adviser. Charges for conveyancing in Hatfield differ, so it's sensible to request at least three estimates from different solicitors. Dont forget to clarify that the fees are fixed.

I am attracted to a two maisonettes in Hatfield which have in the region of forty five years left on the lease term. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a period of time. As a lease shortens the marketability of the lease decreases and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. For this reason it is advisable to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease as mortgage companies less inclined to grant a loan on such properties. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We advise that you seek professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this arena.

Hatfield Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

Is there a share of the freehold? Is anyone aware of any major works in the near future that will increase the service charges? The best form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this arrangement the leaseholders enjoy control and even though a managing agent is usually employed where it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.