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

It is rare for properties in Liphook and has limited impact for conveyancing in Liphook 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 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 after 2037 is to be extinguished.

My grandfather passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor I was left the house in Liphook. The house had a small mortgage remaining of approximately £4500. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Nationwide, pay off the mortgage. Is this possible?

Given you plan to refinance then Nationwide will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Nationwide conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Nationwide conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Nationwide mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.

There are plenty of conveyancing solicitors in Liphook but how do I know who's good?

Do not opt for the cheapest Liphook conveyancing quote. You really do get what you’re paying for when it comes to property lawyers. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you know exactly what you’ll have to pay in ahead of time.

I had a mortgage agreed in principle with Yorkshire BS. Liphook conveyancing practitioners were chosen. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Yorkshire BS?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have Yorkshire BS completed the valuation? Have you informed Yorkshire BS as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property in Liphook off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Coventry BS. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with Coventry BS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Coventry BS conveyancing panel.

Will my lawyer be making enquiries concerning flooding during the conveyancing in Liphook.

Flooding is a growing risk for conveyancers carrying out conveyancing in Liphook. Some people will buy a property in Liphook, completely expectant that at some time, it may be flooded. However, leaving to one side the physical destruction, where a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to obtain a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or dispose of the property. There are steps that can be taken as part of the conveyancing process to forewarn the buyer.

Lawyers are not best placed to give advice on flood risk, however there are a various searches that can be carried out by the buyer or on a buyer’s behalf which will figure out the risks in Liphook. The standard property information forms sent to a purchaser’s lawyer (where the Conveyancing Protocol is adopted) incorporates a standard inquiry of the vendor to discover if the property has ever been flooded. In the event that flooding has previously occurred which is not revealed by the owner, then a buyer could bring a claim for damages resulting from an inaccurate reply. The purchaser’s conveyancers should also conduct an enviro report. This will higlight if there is a recorded flood risk. If so, additional investigations should be made.

My mother and father are unable to locate their Liphook land registry title on the site. They have a vague recollection 50 years ago when they acquired the property there were complications with the post code not being identified on some systems.

The vast majority of residences in Liphook should be revealed. Have you endevoured to search with just the postcode. Ordinarily it will reveal all the properties inside that postcode. Assuming the property is recorded it will be there with a title number. If they bought back in the 60’s it's conceivable it may be not yet registered. The property may still be revealed but with the title number shown 'na'. In this scenario you will need to track down the original title deeds which could be with your parent’s lender.