I own a freehold house in Oxton but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Oxton and has limited impact for conveyancing in Oxton 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 redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be extinguished.

We're in Oxton, FTBs buying with a mortgage (lender is Santander , and our solicitor is on the Santander conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancing practitioner should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

I can see plenty of here regarding conveyancing in Oxton but what is your top tip for choosing the right conveyancer in Oxton

We would encourage you not to base your choice on the lowest Oxton conveyancing costs illustration. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to conveyancing solicitors. A cheap quote may mean that the conveyancing solicitor is handling a lot of jobs at one time and you won’t get the quality of service and the attention that you need. It is, however, wise to use a conveyancer who has a fixed fee on a no sale, no fee basis. This way, you go into the conveyancing with your eyes wide open.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Oxton. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender Leeds Building Society be concerned?

Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Leeds Building Society your lawyer must follow the conveyancing instructions set out in Part two of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Leeds Building Society. The CML Handbook contains minimum conditions for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Leeds Building Society where a lease does not meet these specifications. The specifications relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Oxton.

I can not fathom if my bank obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date. I have called into my local Oxton bank branch on a couple of occasions and was told it wasn't an issue and they will lend. My Oxton conveyancing solicitor - who is on the bank conveyancing panel- called and was told they refuse to lend in accordance with their UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply don't know who is right.

Provided that the conveyancing practitioner is on the mortgage company panel, she or he must comply with the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook requirements for the bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the mortgage company will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the mortgage company to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.

Taking into account that I am about to spend over three hundred thousand on a property in Oxton I would like to talk to a lawyer about myhome move before appointing the firm. Can this be arranged?

Absolutely - we would be happy to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you first talking to the solicitor due to be doing your property ownership legalities in Oxton.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is an important individual, not a matter reference. The law firms that we put you in touch with believe that the figure you are calculated and presented to you for your conveyancing in Oxton should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.

I am looking for a conveyancing lawyer in Oxton for my home move. Is it possible to review a firm’s record with the profession’s regulator?

One can review documented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations commenced on or after Jan 2008. Go to Check a solicitor's record. To find details Pre 2008, or to check a firm's history, phone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, dial +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.