I own a freehold premises in Langport but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Langport and has limited impact for conveyancing in Langport 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

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

I am assisting my sister sell her flat in Langport. Will the conveyancer commission the energy assessment or do I organise this?

After the abolition of Home Information Packs, EPC’s remained a compulsory part of selling a property. An energy assessment must be commissioned prior to the property being placed on the market. It is not as aspect of the sale process that lawyers ordinarily arrange. If you are instructing a Langport conveyancing practitioner they may be able to arrange energy assessments given their relationships with reputable local accredited person

We are buying a detached bungalow in Langport. We would like to carry out a loft conversion at the property.Will legal work on the property include investigations to determine if these works are allowed?

Your solicitor will check the registered title as conveyancing in Langport will sometimes reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent categories of alterations or necessitated the consent of a 3rd party. Certain additions call for local authority planning permissions and approval in accordance building regulations. Some locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which frequently prevent or affect extensions. You should check these things with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

Coventry BS have agreed my home loan in principle, my offer on a flat in Langport has been accepted, what happens next?

The estate agent will need to know who your solicitors are (ensure that the property lawyers are on the bank’s approved list). Telephone Coventry BS or your financial adviser and finalise any outstanding documentation. Coventry BS will appoint a valuer who will get in touch with the selling agent or seller to arrange an appointment. Once carried out (assuming no problems) it takes approximately ten days for the mortgage offer to be issued. Coventry BS will issue the offer to you and your conveyancers. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing in Langport.

What will a local search inform me regarding the property my wife and I purchasing in Langport?

Langport conveyancing often commences with the applying for local authority searches directly from your local Authority or through a personal search organisations for example Xpress Legal The local search plays a central role in most Langport conveyancing purchase; as long as you wish to avoid any unpleasant once you have moved into your new home. The search will provide information on, amongst other things, details on planning applications applicable to the premises (whether granted or refused), building control history, any enforcement action, restrictions on permitted development, nearby road schemes, contaminated land and radon gas; in all a total of thirteen subject headings.

I'm buying a new build house in Langport with the aid of help to buy. The sellers would not move on the price so I negotiated 6k of extras instead. The property agent told me not to tell my conveyancer about this deal as it could affect my loan with Britannia. Do I keep my lawyer in the dark?.

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 pointed in your direction by two or three local selling agents in Langport to choose a solicitor on your site. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to recommend your lawyers over and above a competitor’s?

We refuse to give any commission for directing people our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because home movers will think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ So we decided to step away from that.