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

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

Old 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.

Do I need to pay for insurance to cover chancel repairs when acquiring a residence in Ponteland?

Unless a prior purchase of the property completed after 12 October 2013 you could expect solicitors conducting conveyancing in Ponteland to remain recommending a chancel search and or chancel repair liability policy.

I am purchasing a new build house in Ponteland with a loan from Leeds Building Society. The developers refused to reduce the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of fixtures and fittings instead. The estate agent advised me not reveal to my solicitor about the side-deal as it will adversely affect my loan with the lender. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

I have been on the look out for a leasehold apartment up to £245,000 and identified one close by in Ponteland I like with a park and railway links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 49 years on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Ponteland suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake acquiring a short lease?

Should you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be a potential deal breaker. Reduce the offer by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least twenty four months you may request that they commence the lease extension formalities and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term and have £0 ground rent by law. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this.

Are there any apps to assist me to locate a Ponteland law firm on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel? I drive a motor bike and am prepared to travel upto 25miles to meet the lawyer.

You can use the tool on this page. Please choose the mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of Ponteland conveyancing lawyers based on proximity. We have listed some Ponteland conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can telephone them to see if they are on the National Westminster Bank approved list