I own a freehold premises in Old Woking but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Old Woking and has limited impact for conveyancing in Old Woking 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 from 1977 onwards.

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

I am helping my aunt sell her property in Old Woking. Will the conveyancing solicitor order an energy performance certificate or it is for the seller to coordinate?

Following the demise of HIPs, energy performance certificates was maintained a mandatory part of moving property. An energy performance certificate should be to hand in advance of the property being advertised. It is not as aspect of the sale process that solicitors ordinarily arrange. If you are instructing a Old Woking conveyancing lawyer they may be able to arrange energy performance certificates due to their relationships with reputable Old Woking accredited person

This question may be naive but I am unseasoned as a 1st time buyer of a garden flat in Old Woking. Do I pick up the keys to the house on the completion date from my solicitor? If this is the case, I will find a local conveyancing solicitor in Old Woking?

There is no need to visit the lawyers office on the day of completion. Your solicitors will electronically transfer the completion advance to the vendor’s conveyancers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you should be able to pick up the keys from the Estate Agents and start moving into the property. This tends to happen early afternoon.

We are getting the release of further funds on our mortgage from Nationwide as we intend to conduct alterations to our property in Old Woking. Are we obliged to choose a bricks and mortar Old Woking solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel to handle the legals?

Nationwide do not ordinarily require firms on their conveyancing panel to deal with the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Nationwide list.

I am buying a new build apartment in Old Woking. 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 are examples of a selection of leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Old Woking

Please supply a car parking plan. Please confirm the Lease plans are surveyor prepared. 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. The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Old Woking I like with open areas and transport links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 52 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Old Woking in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a home loan that many years will be problematic. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the premises for a minimum of twenty four months you could request that they start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease and have £0 ground rent by law. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.

I note that you have a search directory listing firms on the bank conveyancing panel. Do Old Woking conveyancing companies pay you a referral fee if I retain them for my own house purchase?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the lender conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Old Woking.