I am the registered owner of a freehold property in Norris Green yet charged rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Norris Green and has limited impact for conveyancing in Norris Green 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the generation of fresh rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

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

Forgive me if this question is silly but I am new to the home buying as FTB of a two bedroom flat in Norris Green. Do I receive the keys to the property on the completion date from my solicitor? If so, I will use a High Street conveyancing solicitor in Norris Green?

On the day of completion you do not need to attend the conveyancers office in Norris Green. Your solicitors will arrange to send the purchase money to the seller's lawyers, and shortly after the monies have arrived, you should be invited to pick up the keys from the property Agents and start moving into the property. This tends to happen early afternoon.

We have a mortgage agreed in principle with . Norris Green conveyancing solicitors were appointed. How long does it take for to send the offer to the ?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have done the valuation? Have you advised as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the conveyancing panel? Sometimes it can take as long as six weeks for a mortgage offer to be issued.

We have agreed to purchase a house in Norris Green. An unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?

As you are obtaining a mortgage with your lawyer must check the conveyancing instructions set out in Section 2 of UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for . The Council of Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook stipulates minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and are required to report to where a lease does not satisfy these provisions. The conditions relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales and is not restricted to Norris Green.

How does conveyancing in Norris Green differ for newly converted properties?

Most buyers of new build residence in Norris Green come to us having been asked by the developer to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the house is ready to move into. This is because developers in Norris Green usually 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 property lawyers 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 used to new build conveyancing in Norris Green or who has acted in the same development.

Yesterday I discovered that there is a flying freehold element on a property I have offered on last month in what should have been a simple, chain free conveyancing. Norris Green is where the house is located. Is there any guidance you can give?

Flying freeholds in Norris Green are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Norris Green you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Norris Green 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 residence.

Am I better off to go with a Norris Green conveyancing practitioner in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? I have an old university friend who can handle the legal work however they are based 300miles away.

The benefit of a local Norris Green conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to sign documents, hand in your ID and pester them if necessary. They will also have local intelligence which is a plus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have used your friend and on the whole were happy that must surpass using an unknown Norris Green conveyancing lawyer just because they are based in the area.