I own a freehold residence in Queensbury yet pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Queensbury and has limited impact for conveyancing in Queensbury 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 fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

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

Will my conveyancing lawyers need to check that the building insurance for my purchase of a house in Queensbury. My lender is Virgin

Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 25/2/2025, the requirements read as follows :

I used Action Conveyancing several years ago for my conveyancing in Queensbury. Now, I need my files 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 Queensbury of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Queensbury is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Queensbury are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Queensbury you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds diligently. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Queensbury may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold residence.

Expecting to sign contracts shortly on a ground floor flat in Queensbury. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they will have a report out to me next week. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Queensbury should include some of the following:

Responsibility for maintaining the window frames You should receive a copy of the lease The total ownership of the demise. This might be the property itself but might incorporate a roof space or cellar if appropriate. What options are open to you if an adjoining owner is in violation of a provision in their lease? Setting out your legal entitlements in relation to the communal areas in the building.By way of example, does the lease contain a right of way over an accessway or hallways?

Despite our best efforts, we have been unsuccessful in trying to reach an agreement for a lease extension in Queensbury. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?

Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Queensbury conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Queensbury residence is 20 Orchard Court Stonegrove in June 2009. The tribunal decided that a premium of £11,040 should be payable for the new lease This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 71.55 years.