I own a freehold property in Norwood but nevertheless pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It is rare for properties in Norwood and has limited impact for conveyancing in Norwood 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 fresh rentcharges post 1977.

Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

I am thinking of mortgaging my home in Norwood, does my lawyer have to be on the Solicitor panel?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the conveyancing panel, but would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

I'm buying a new build house in Norwood with a mortgage from . The developers refused to budge the amount so I negotiated £7000 of fixtures and fittings instead. The house builders rep advised me not to tell my solicitor about the deal as it may put at risk my mortgage with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my garden apartment in Norwood. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed, however I have recently had a quarterly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

It best that you pay the maintenance contribution as normal given that all rents and service payments should be allotted as part of the financial calculations for completion monies, so you should recover the relevant percentage by the purchaser for the period running from after the completion date to the subsequent invoice date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date, so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

Norwood Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability? Are there any major works anticipated that will add a premium to the maintenance charges? How much is the service charge and ground rent on the flat?

What do I do if I am unhappy with the who handled our conveyancing in Norwood?

Occasionally the level of service you receive is not as you expect, and is is a fact of life that sometimes matters do not go as planned. Nevertheless there is recourse if you were not happy with your conveyancing in Norwood. This varies from trying to resolve matters directly with them, through to reporting a to their regulator. If you remain dissatisfied you may consider enlisting the help of the Legal Ombudsman.