I am the registered owner of a freehold premises in Hackney Marshes but nevertheless charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Hackney Marshes and has limited impact for conveyancing in Hackney Marshes 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 hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

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

My bid for a property was accepted at auction in Hackney Marshes. Conveyancing is required. What is next?

Given that you are now to in every practical sense signed on the dotted line you now have to instruct a conveyancing solicitor as a matter of priority as you will have a tight a drop dead date to complete the deal. An auction property will have a bespoke legal pack. This will likely include evidence of title and search results. If you have purchased leasehold property the auction papers should provide a copy of the lease, management information and a sellers leasehold information form and other conveyancing paperwork pertinent to leasehold premises. You need to hand this to your appointed conveyancing solicitor at the earliest opportunity. You also need to ensure that you have funds organised to complete on the date specified in the contract.

I am buying a 3 bedroom semi in Hackney Marshes. The intention is to an extension at the rear at the property.Will legal work on the property involve checks to ascertain if these works are permitted?

Your conveyancer will check the registered title as conveyancing in Hackney Marshes will sometimes reveal restrictions in the title documents which prevent certain works or require the consent of a 3rd party. Many works require local authority planning consent and approval in compliance with building regulations. Many locations are designated conservation areas and special planning restrictions apply which often prevent or affect extensions. You should check these issues with a surveyor ahead of any purchase.

My wife and I are spending time viewing houses in Hackney Marshes and I am now considering a potential offer. Is it too early to have a solicitor in place? I will be getting a mortgage with Yorkshire BS.

You should start requesting conveyancing estimates from solicitors ASAP. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on to the selling agent. As you are taking out a mortgage with Yorkshire BS, make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Yorkshire BS conveyancing panel.

I have todayfound out that Stirling Law have been shut down. They conducted my conveyancing in Hackney Marshes for a purchase of a leasehold apartment 9 months ago. How can I check that my home is not still registered in the name of the previous owner?

The easiest method to see if the property is in your name, you can make 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 Hackney Marshes conveyancing specialists.

I need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor for some conveyancing in Hackney Marshes. I've discover a site which seems to have the ideal solution If it is possible to get all the legals completed via email that would be ideal. Do I need to be wary? What should out be looking out for?

As usual with these online conveyancers you need to read ALL the small print - did you notice the extra charge for dealing with the mortgage?

Why is it not possible to complete my conveyancing in Hackney Marshes on Easter Monday?

Because on completion the funds will be transferred electronically between the banks of the buyer and seller's conveyancer and currently this can only occur on a business day. So you can't complete on a saturday or sunday either.