My partner and I are buying a new build duplex in West Sussex and my lawyer is informing me that she has to the bank to disclose incentives from the builder. I am under pressure to sign contracts and I don't want to prolong the conveyancing. is my lawyer playing by the book?

You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your conveyancer. A precondition to being on a bank panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook specifications. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.

I purchased a freehold house in West Sussex but still charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in West Sussex and has limited impact for conveyancing in West Sussex 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 hundreds of years, 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 post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

I am planning to acquire a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in West Sussex who is on the Britannia conveyancing. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Britannia in certain locations such as West Sussex. We dont recommend any particular firm.

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly picked up during conveyancing in West Sussex?

Restrictive covenants can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the process of conveyancing in West Sussex. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a West Sussex conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a West Sussex conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggest that you make enquires with two or three firms including non West Sussex conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. The following questions could be of use:

What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing? If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

West Sussex Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

Best to be warned whether fixing the lift or some other major work is due shortly that will be shared between the tenants and will dramatically impact the level of the service costs or require a one time payment. Are there any major works on the horizon that will likely add a premium to the maintenance charges?