I purchased a freehold property in Openshaw but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

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

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

We just had an offer accepted to purchase with Loughborough BS. We have called around locally yet cant to find a Openshaw conveyancing firm on the Loughborough BS approved list. Please you assist?

You should take advantage of the find a lender approved solicitor tool on this page. Pick the building society and type Openshaw or your location and you will be presented with numerous conveyancers located in Openshaw or by proximity to you.

Me and my brother own a terraced Georgian house in Openshaw. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Aldermore. I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: one for freehold, another for leasehold with the matching address. Is it worth asking Aldermore to clarify?

You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Openshaw and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they sell they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with purchasers. You can also enquire as to the situation with your conveyancing solicitor who carried out the work.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I put an offer in last month in what should have been a straight forward, no chain conveyancing. Openshaw is where the house is located. Is there any advice you can give?

Flying freeholds in Openshaw are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even though you don't necessarily need a conveyancing solicitor in Openshaw you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds diligently. Your lender may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Openshaw 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 premises.

My husband and I are novice buyers - agreed a price, yet the property agent informed us that the seller will only go ahead if we appoint the agent's chosen lawyers as they need a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a high street solicitor accustomed to conveyancing in Openshaw

We suspect that the owner is unaware of this request. Should the seller desire ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a motivated buyer is not the way to achieve this. Try to communicate with the sellers directly and explain that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are unencumbered (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you will continue to instruct your preferred Openshaw conveyancing firm - not the ones that will earn the estate agent a introducer fee or hit his conveyancing figures pre-set by head office.