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

It’s unusual for properties in Gorleston and has limited impact for conveyancing in Gorleston 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment 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 post 2037 is to be extinguished.

Me and my partner are buying a house in Gorleston. It might be a silly question but how we can trust a solicitor? On completion day we will need to put money into their account. What protection do we have from them run away with our deposit?

Be assured that all money in a Solicitors client account is 100% safe, and even if your Solicitor ran off with it, the Law Society would reimburse you fully.

I am currently in the process of buying my council flat in Gorleston. I have a mortgage agreed with UBS. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?

It is not advisable to proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event, if you are getting a mortgage with UBS, you will need to appoint a solicitor on the UBS conveyancing panel.

I currently have a mortgage with Virgin Money for my property in Gorleston. Conveyancing was finalised some time ago. In the event that I decide to rent out my property and do not currently have a buy-to-let mortgage do I need to remortgage to a BTL mortgage or inform Virgin Money?

Virgin Money must be informed of your intention prior to letting out your property as this is likely to be a breach of Virgin Money’s mortgage conditions. It may be that Virgin Money will allow you to rent out your former home without needing to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage but some lenders will add a surcharge to your mortgage rate to reflect the higher risk. You should contact Virgin Money directly. You need not do this via a Virgin Money conveyancing panel solicitor.

I require fast conveyancing in Gorleston as I am under an ultimatum to sign on the dotted line within one month. Luckily I do not require a mortgage. Is it possible to avoid the conveyancing searches to save fees and time?

If.Given you are are a mortgage free buyer you have the choice not to do searches although no law firm would advise that you don't. Drawing on years of experience of conveyancing in Gorleston the following are examples of what can crop up and therefore affect market value: Enforcement Actions, Overdue Charges, Outstanding Grants, Railway Schemes,...

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a quick, no chain conveyancing. Gorleston is the location of the property. Can you offer any guidance?

Flying freeholds in Gorleston are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Gorleston you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your bank may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Gorleston may determine 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 premises.

We are looking to buy a repression property in Gorleston and the vendor require completion inside a week. Can a conveyancing practitioner meet that timeframe? Would it be better to use a local Gorleston firm or an online organisation that professes to offer speedy conveyancing?

Visit your Gorleston high street. Go in to two or three solicitor’s offices and ask to talk to a conveyancing solicitor for an estimate. Explain your needs and seek a commitment on time frames. Choose the firm that appears most trustworthy. You need to select a conveyancer on the panel of conveyancing practitioners acceptable to your mortgage company.