I purchased a freehold house in Pitstone yet invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Pitstone and has limited impact for conveyancing in Pitstone 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 establishment of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

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

I have todayfound out that Wolstenholmes have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Pitstone for a purchase of a leasehold flat 9 months ago. How can I establish that the property is registered correctly in the name of the former proprietor?

The easiest way to see 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 Pitstone conveyancing specialists.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a house I have offered on two weeks back in what was supposed to be a simple, no chain conveyancing. Pitstone is where the house is located. What do you suggest?

Flying freeholds in Pitstone are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Pitstone you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Pitstone may ascertain 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.