I purchased a freehold premises in Ongar but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Ongar and has limited impact for conveyancing in Ongar 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 creation of fresh rentcharges post 1977.

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

I used Wolstenholmes a few years ago for my conveyancing in Ongar. I now require my papers however the law firm has closed. What do I do?

Do contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracking down 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 Ongar 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.

Due to the encouragement of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in Ongar before instructing conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the property. My surveyor has said that some mortgage companies will not issue a loan on this type of property.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Nationwide. If you contact us we can look into this further with the relevant mortgage company. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can assist as they are accustomed to dealing with flying freeholds in Ongar. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Ongar especially if they are familiar with such properties in Ongar.

I am a sole trader wishing to take an assignment of a lease of a shop on the high street. Can you recommend conveyancers offering competitive costs for non-domestic conveyancing in Ongar for under 1500k?

We can recommend firms who have an in-depth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Ongar, including the disposal and acquisition of businesses as well as simply property. Whether you are hoping to buy or sell a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail premises or a complete business we can put you in touch with the right solicitor. As for the costs these will vary based on the structure and complexity of the deal. Please provide us with your contact information or phone us so that we may supply you with comprehensive commercial conveyancing calculation.

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Ongar. Conveyancing advisers have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Ongar ?

The majority of houses in Ongar are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Ongar so you should seriously consider looking for a Ongar conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should report to you on the legal implications.

Ongar Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries Prior to Purchasing

On the whole the cost for major works tend not to be built into the maintenance charges, although there some managing agents in Ongar require leasehold owners to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for larger repairs or maintenance. Best to be warned if redecorating or some other major work is due shortly that will be shared by the leasehold owners and will materially impact the level of the maintenance fees or result in a one off payment. Is the freehold reversion owned jointly by the tenants?