I own a freehold premises in Kings Heath but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Kings Heath and has limited impact for conveyancing in Kings Heath 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of new rentcharges post 1977.

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

My wife and I have a renovated Victorian property in Kings Heath. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and TSB. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the matching property. I thought I was buying a freehold how can I check?

You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register for 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 Kings Heath and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with mortgage companies. You can also enquire as to the position with the conveyancing practitioner who completed the work.

About to purchase a new build apartment in Kings Heath. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Kings Heath

There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. Please supply a car parking plan. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared.

If all goes to plan we aim to complete the disposal of our £200,000 flat in Kings Heath in 5 days. The management company has quoted £336 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and 3 years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Kings Heath?

Kings Heath conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes often involves the buyer’s solicitor sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to address these enquiries most will be content to do so. They are at liberty to charge a reasonable administration fee for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average costs for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is above £800. The administration charge invoiced by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of rights and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the charge is not strictly payable. In reality you have no choice but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to complete the sale of your home.

I inherited a 2 bed flat in Kings Heath, conveyancing was carried out March 2005. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Comparable flats in Kings Heath with over 90 years remaining are worth £185,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 invoiced every year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2085

With only 61 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to span between £19,000 and £22,000 plus legals.

The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs in the absence of detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other issues that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.

What type of premises does your Kings Heath conveyancing quotes relate to?

The quotes issued are only relevant to standard domestic property in England & Wales. Where you have any different requirements such as industrial or agricultural property or commercial conveyancing in Kings Heath do contact us to consider this further .