I purchased a freehold property in Chippenham but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Chippenham and has limited impact for conveyancing in Chippenham 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 extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

I am considering applying for a Nationwide mortgage for purchase of a newly converted (under development) in Chippenham with 60% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Nationwide ?

There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor, but Nationwide will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.

I used Stirling Law several years past for my conveyancing in Chippenham. Now, I need the files but the law firm is no longer operating. What do I do?

You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing 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 Chippenham 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.

We are a couple of weeks into a leasehold purchase having been recommend to a firm by the local agent to do our conveyancing in Chippenham. I am not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new lawyers?

A lawyer would need to be very poor in order to consider changing them. Has your mortgage been sent? If so you must advise them of the new solicitor and ensure the loan are re-issued. The conveyancer should be on the lenders panel to avoid supplemental charges and delays. That should be your starting point. Our find a solicitor tool will help you find a lender approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Chippenham

Planning to exchange soon on a garden flat in Chippenham. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they will have a report out to me next week. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Chippenham should include some of the following:

The physical ownership of the property. This will be the flat itself but may incorporate a roof area or storage are if relevant. An explanation concerning the obligations as set out in the lease to to contribute towards maintenance costs - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder enjoys Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice? Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring? Where does the liability rest to repair and maintain the block. It is important that you know who is liable for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building

Chippenham Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing

You will want to discover as much as you can regarding the company managing the building as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day matters like the cleanliness of the common parts. Enquire of other people what they think of them. In conclusion, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically what it includes. What is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the property? Please tell me if there are any major works anticipated that will increase the service costs?