I own a freehold house in Edgware but nevertheless invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Edgware and has limited impact for conveyancing in Edgware 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 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 post 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

My stepmother pointed out to me me that in purchasing a property in Edgware there could be a number of restrictions as to what one can do in terms of external changes to a property. Is this right?

We are aware of a number of properties in Edgware which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to perform external changes. Part of the conveyancing in Edgware should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

I am planning to move house in April. Does my conveyancing solicitor update the removal company on the day of completion. Incidentally, can you suggest a removal company in Edgware. Conveyancing lawyer was chosen prior to coming across your website.

On the afternoon of completion you will need to collect the keys from your estate agent but this should only be done once the vendors solicitors confirm to the agent that the monies to complete are in and the keys can be released. After that you should advise the removal men that you are ready to move in. As a matter of policy we do not recommend a particular removal company but can assist you in locating a conveyancing in Edgware or a legal practice that specialises in conveyancing in Edgware.

I am purchasing a property in Edgware. A rare aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Clydesdale have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

Given that your lender is Clydesdale your lawyer must follow the formal instructions outlined in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Clydesdale. The CML Handbook includes minimum specifications for solar panel roof-space leases, and property lawyers are required to report to Clydesdale where a lease fails to meet these specifications. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Edgware.

I appreciate that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Am I compelled to take this when purchasing a residence in Edgware? or I am told that there is historic law that could mean that owners of property living in a parish church boundary may be liable to pay for repairs towards the chancel within the church. Is this appropriate for conveyancing in Edgware?

Unless a previous acquisition of the house took place after 12 October 2013 you may take it that lawyers handling conveyancing in Edgware to remain recommending a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in two weeks back in what was supposed to be a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Edgware is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Edgware are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Edgware you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Edgware may decide that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold property.

Am I best advised to choose a Edgware conveyancing solicitor who is local to the property I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can carry out the legal work but her office is 400kilometers away.

The primary upside of using a local Edgware conveyancing firm is that you can pop in to sign paperwork, present your identification documents and apply pressure on them where appropriate. Having local Edgware know how is a benefit. However it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If you know people who used your friend and in the main were content that must outweigh using an unknown Edgware conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being based in the area.