I own a freehold property in Bridport but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Bridport and has limited impact for conveyancing in Bridport 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 hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be extinguished.

I am told that my conveyancing solicitors will need to check that the building insurance when buying a house in Bridport. My lender is Platform

Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 30/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :

I have a 4 bedroom Victorian house in Bridport. Conveyancing practitioner acted for me and Godiva Mortgages Ltd. I did a free Land Registry search last week and there are a couple of entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold under the exact same address. I'd like to know for sure, how can I find out??

You should read the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Bridport and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also check the position with your conveyancing practitioner who conducted the purchase.

How easy is it to change firm as I need to select a firm on the Chelsea Building Society conveyancing list. I instructed a local conveyancing solicitor in Bridport round the corner but he is not approved by Chelsea Building Society

It would be our pleasure to help you find a conveyancing solicitor in Bridport on the Chelsea Building Society panel. Please note that the property lawyers that we list do not pay us fee if you instruct them and are authorised and regulated by the SRA who regulate all conveyancing solicitors in Bridport. In utilising search facility on this site, you can compare and instruct different solicitors and conveyancers both nationally and in Bridport.

I am 17 days into a residential purchase having been referred to a firm by the estate agent to do our conveyancing in Bridport. We are not happy. Can you help me find new solicitors?

A lawyer would need to be really bad in order to consider replacing them. Has your mortgage been sent? In the event that it has you need to make them aware of the new contact details and get the mortgage documents are issued to the new lawyers. The solicitor ideally needs to be on the banks panel to avoid supplemental costs and frustration. That should be your starting point. Our find a solicitor tool can assist you in finding a lender approved conveyancer for your conveyancing in Bridport