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

It’s unusual for properties in Smethwick and has limited impact for conveyancing in Smethwick 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 have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

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

How do I find out if the solicitor conducting my conveyancing in Smethwick is on the lender’sapproved panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Nationwide Building Society thus paying £175.00 in additional legal costs.

Feel free to take advantage of the find a conveyancing panel solicitor tool on this web page. Pick the lender and type ‘Smethwick’ or your preferred area and you will discover a number of lawyer offices in Smethwick or nearest you.

I am buying a new build flat in Smethwick. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Set out below is a sample of a few leasehold new build enquiries that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Smethwick

Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision. The Vendor must covenant to keep unsold units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified.

Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a property in Smethwick before retaining solicitors. I have been informed that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor has said that some banks will refuse to give a mortgage on this type of house.

It depends who your proposed lender is. Bank of Scotland has different instructions for example to Nationwide. Should you wish to call us we can look into this further with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Smethwick. Conveyancing can be more complicated and therefore you should check with your conveyancing solicitor in Smethwick to see if the conveyancing costs will increase in light of this.

I need to retain a conveyancing solicitor for remortgage conveyancing in Smethwick. I've discover a site which seems to have the ideal solution If there is a chance to get all this stuff done via phone that would be ideal. Do I need to be concerned? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?