I own a freehold residence in Lechlade but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Lechlade and has limited impact for conveyancing in Lechlade 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 establishment of new rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be extinguished.

I require expedited conveyancing in Lechlade as I am under pressure to exchange contracts in less than one month. Fortunately I do not need a mortgage. Can I avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?

If.Given you are not getting a home loan you are at liberty not to do searches although no conveyancer would suggest that you don't. Drawing on years of experience of conveyancing in Lechlade the following are examples of what can be revealed and adversely impact the marketability of the property: Refused Planning Applications, Outstanding Charges, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

I used Action Conveyancing a few years ago for my conveyancing in Lechlade. I now require my papers however the law firm has closed. What do I do?

You should call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Lechlade of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously retained, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Lechlade. Conveyancing and Bank of Scotland mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing practitioner in Lechlade who previously acted has now retired. What should I do?

First contact the Land Registry to make sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Lechlade conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I purchased a 1st floor flat in Lechlade, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you let me have an estimate of the premium that my landlord can legally expect in return for granting a renewal of my lease? Similar properties in Lechlade with over 90 years remaining are worth £201,000. The ground rent is £45 yearly. The lease runs out on 21st October 2088

With just 64 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £14,300 and £16,400 as well as plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to provide a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.

I acquired a house in Lechlade last 13/10/2023 and to date it is still not registered with HMLR. It was part of a development site and my conveyancer told me that it can take 12 months to register. I have called HM Land Registry directly and they say that the original application was cancelled due to failure to reply to requisitions. Do I need to be concerned?

Call your property lawyer - Where you are unsatisfied with the responses, look up their firm’s complaints protocol and amplify your concerns to a Complaints Manager. Registrations for Lechlade conveyancing are not known to be significantly delayed.