I purchased a freehold premises in Sefton but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Sefton and has limited impact for conveyancing in Sefton 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 creation of fresh 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 post 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

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

Virgin have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook. As of 27/11/2025, the requirements read as follows :

I am the single recipient of my late grandmother’s will and I have everything in my name now, including the my former home in Sefton. The Sefton property was put into my name in October. I want to move. I understand that there is a Mortgage Lenders six month 'rule', which means that my proprietorship will be considered the same way as if I'd bought the house in October. Is the property unsalable for six months?

The CML handbook instructs conveyancers to: "report to us immediately if the owner or registered proprietor has been registered for less than six months." Technically you could be impacted by that. Most lenders would take a sensible view as this provision primarily exists to pick up on the purchase and immediately sell or the wholesaling and assigning of properties.

When it comes to lenders such as Leeds Building Society, do Sefton solicitors have to pay an annual charge to be on the conveyancing panel?

We are unaware of any mortgage company fees to register on their panel, although some do levy an administration fee to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.

I can not fathom if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension. I have called into my local Sefton building society branch on a couple of occasions and was reassured it wasn't an issue and they will lend. My Sefton conveyancing solicitor - who is on the mortgage company conveyancing panel- called to say that they will not lend in accordance with their specific requirements. Who do I believe?

The lawyer has to follow the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook Part 2 requirements for your bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that the lender will go ahead, your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask the bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the number of years left on the lease.

How does conveyancing in Sefton differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build property in Sefton contact us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because builders in Sefton tend to buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Sefton or who has acted in the same development.

I have been advised by numerous selling agents in Sefton to find a conveyancer on your site. What’s the financial incentive for Estate Agents to promote your services rather than alternative conveyancing organisations?

We don’t give any commission for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We found it would be just too difficult a fee because members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why am I not getting any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.