I purchased a freehold residence in Patcham but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Patcham and has limited impact for conveyancing in Patcham 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 post 1977.

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

My husband and I intend to purchase a purpose built flat in Patcham with a residential mortgage from .We would like to retain our Patcham conveyancing practitioner but informed us his firm is not listed on their approved list of firms. It seems we have little choice but to instruct a panel firm or retain our local solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to act for them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. The loan offered to you is subject to its various provisions, a common one being that lawyers must be on the approved list. Until recently, most mortgage companies had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could find one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold element on a property I put an offer in last month in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Patcham is where the house is located. Can you offer any advice?

Flying freeholds in Patcham are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Patcham you must be sure that your lawyer goes 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 Patcham 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 property.

Are there any apps to help search for a Patcham law firm on the conveyancing panel? I have a car and am happy to travel upto 25miles to meet the solicitor.

Feel free to make use of the facility on this website. Please pick a mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of Patcham conveyancing lawyers located nearest you. We have listed some Patcham conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can contact them to verify whether they are on the approved list

We're novice buyers - agreed a price, yet the selling agent informed us that the seller will only move forward if we instruct the agent's recommended solicitors as they want a ‘quick sale’. We would rather use a high street solicitor with experience of conveyancing in Patcham

It is improbable the vendors are behind this. If they want ‘a quick sale', alienating a serious buyer is counter productive. Avoid the agents and go straight to the owners and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are ready to progress, with mortgage lined up © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)however you will continue to instruct your own,trusted Patcham conveyancing solicitors - as opposed tothe ones that will provide the estate agent a kickback or achieve conveyancing thresholds demanded by senior management.