I purchased a freehold property in Newport but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Newport and has limited impact for conveyancing in Newport 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 creation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 is to be extinguished.

I have been referred to a conveyancing solicitor in Newport. I I am struggling to find out whether they are on the Nottingham Building Society approved list of lawyers. Could you or the lender confirm if they are on the panel?

You should phone your solicitor and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Alternatively please get in touch with Nottingham Building Society who may be able to help.

Just had an offer accepted on a new build flat in Newport. Conveyancing is necessary evil 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 legal work.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Newport

Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Please supply a car parking plan. If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. Will control of the Management Company (if any) be handed over to purchasers on completion of the last sale or earlier? Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Newport ahead of retaining solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor advised that some mortgage companies will refuse to give a mortgage on this type of house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different requirements from Nationwide. If you call us we can check via the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Newport. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Newport to see if the conveyancing will be more expensive.

I have been recommended by two or three local estate agents in Newport to get a quote from a property lawyer using your seach tool. Is there a financial upside for Estate Agents to market your services over alternative conveyancing organisations?

We refuse to give any financial incentive for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We thought it would be too underhand a fee as home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.