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

It’s unusual for properties in Wickersley and has limited impact for conveyancing in Wickersley 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 post 1977.

Previous rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence after 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in Wickersley. Conveyancing is necessary evil at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build conveyancing.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Wickersley

The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Please supply evidence that the form of Lease proposed has been approved by the Land Registry. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. There must be mutual enforceability of lessee’s covenants. Forfeiture - bankruptcy or liquidation must not apply under this provision.

I have been on the look out for a ground for flat up to £235,500 and identified one near me in Wickersley I like with a park and transport links nearby, however it only has 52 years unexpired on the lease. I can't really find anything else in Wickersley in this price bracket, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error buying a lease with such few years left?

If you require a home loan that many years will likely be an issue. Discount the price by the expected lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you could request that they start the process of the extension and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the current lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing solicitor regarding this matter.

I'm converting the mortgage on my existing house to a BTL loan with Platform Home Loans Ltd and I will use the ballance of the raised equity as a deposit on another property. The location we are looking at is Wickersley. Will your conveyancers be able to act for both sets of banks and link together the two deals?

Do use our comparison tool on this page to be sure that the lawyers are approved by both lenders. Having checked that they are your conveyancer will be able to simultaneously deal with the two deals but you should talk with you lawyer and make clear your expectations and needs.

My wife and I are first time buyers just having agreed a price on a property in Wickersley, and are about to get solicitors appointed. We have made use of the various comparison based websites and the results are from all over the England and Wales. Is it essential to have a Wickersley conveyancer local to the potential new home? We are willing to do everything over the internet, but I am thinking at some point we will be required to physically go into the conveyancer's office to sign contracts?

The solicitor does not need to be in Wickersley, but choosing local means that you can visit their offices if required, by way of example, if a signature is immediately necessary. Furthermore, a Wickersley solicitor is likely to be familiar with local agents and (if the vendor has chosen a local solicitor) with them, which will help keep things moving faster.