I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Barbican yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Barbican and has limited impact for conveyancing in Barbican 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 new rentcharges post 1977.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Barbican. I I would like to check whether they are accepted on the Santander approved list of lawyers. Can you assist?

You should call your lawyer and ask them whether they are on the lender panel. Otherwise please call Santander who may be able to help.

Is it necessary to take out insurance to address the risk of chancel repairs when buying a residence in Barbican?

Unless a prior acquisition of the property completed post 12 October 2013 you may assume that solicitors carrying out conveyancing in Barbican to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

I have recentlybeen informed that Action Conveyancing have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Barbican for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 12 months ago. How can I be sure that my home is in my name in the name of the previous owner?

The quickest way to check if the premises is in your name, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Barbican conveyancing specialists.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a ground for flat up to £305k and found one near me in Barbican I like with a park and transport links nearby, the downside is that it's only got 51 years unexpired on the lease. There is not much else in Barbican in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error purchasing a lease with such few years left?

Should you require a home loan that many years will be an issue. Discount the price by the anticipated lease extension will cost if not already taken into account. If the existing proprietor has owned the premises for at least twenty four months you may ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. An additional ninety years can be extended on to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.