I am the registered owner of a freehold property in Shropshire but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Shropshire and has limited impact for conveyancing in Shropshire 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.

Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The bank mentioned the home loan came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to use their panel solicitor as I would prefer to instruct a high street conveyancing solicitor in Shropshire?

You should check but the the likelihood is that appoint one of their panel lawyers should you take up the "fee-free" offer. Speak to the mortgage company and explore if they allow a cash alternative. Some mortgage companies have previously offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Shropshire.

Can you point me to a directory of Leeds Building Society panel solicitors in Shropshire on the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook Website?

Unfortunately not yet. There is no such facility on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association sites. A small selection of lenders make their panel listings open the public over the internet. If you are seeking to appoint a Shropshire lawyer on the Leeds Building Society please use our tool.

My husband and I have organised the release of further funds on our home loan from Nationwide as we wish to carry out renovations to our house in Shropshire. Do we need to appoint a bricks and mortar Shropshire solicitor on the Nationwide conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?

Nationwide don't usually appoint firms on their approved list of lawyers to handle the formalities. If they do require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Nationwide list.

Two weeks ago we had a mortgage agreed in principle with Lloyds. Shropshire conveyancing lawyers are selected. What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Lloyds?

There is no definitive answer here. Have Lloyds done the valuation? Have you advised Lloyds as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the Lloyds conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

We are purchasing a house and the conveyancer has raised the issue of Chancel Repair to which the house could be liable given it’s proximity to the area of such a church. He has suggested insurance. Is this really warranted for conveyancing in Shropshire

Unless a prior acquisition of the premises completed post 12 October 2013 you could assume that conveyancing practitioners carrying out conveyancing in Shropshire to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

I need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor for sale conveyancing in Shropshire. I have land on a web site which seems to have the ideal solution If it is possible to get all this stuff done via email that would be preferable. Do I need to be wary? What are the potential pitfalls?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?