I am purchasing a house mortgage free in Hawkshead. I have been living for the previous 15 years in Hawkshead. Conveyancing searches are expensive. Given that I know the area and road very well should I not bother getting the solicitor to do all the conveyancing searches?

If you not getting a mortgage, then all but one or two of the Hawkshead conveyancing searches are non-obligatory. Your lawyer will ’encourage you, no-doubt strongly, that you should have searches carried out, but he has a professional duty to do this. Do take into account; if you are likely to dispose of the house one day, it will likely be be of importance to your future buyer what the searches determine. Sometimes houses with apparent issues can still show up unfavourable search results. A competent conveyancing solicitor in Hawkshead should provide you some practical guidance in this regard.

I purchased a freehold premises in Hawkshead but nevertheless pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Hawkshead and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hawkshead 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 generation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

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

I have recentlybeen informed that Action Conveyancing have closed. They carried out my conveyancing in Hawkshead for a purchase of a leasehold flat 10 months ago. How can I establish that my home is in my name in the name of the former proprietor?

The easiest method to check if the premises is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Hawkshead conveyancing specialists.

How does conveyancing in Hawkshead differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Hawkshead approach us having been asked by the builder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is finished. This is because house builders in Hawkshead typically acquire the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Hawkshead or who has acted in the same development.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a simple, no chain conveyancing. Hawkshead is where the house is located. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Hawkshead are unusual but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Hawkshead you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Hawkshead 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 residence.