I purchased a freehold house in Worthing yet invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Worthing and has limited impact for conveyancing in Worthing 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 generation of new 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 will be extinguished.

What is the optimum way to find out if the solicitor conducting my conveyancing in Worthing is on the mortgage lender’sapproved panel? I am looking to avoid the situation of having one lawyer for me and one for Barclays Direct thus spending £187.00 plus VAT in another set of legal invoice.

Please do make the most of the search tool on this page. Pick the lender and type ‘Worthing’ or your preferred area and you will be presented with numerous solicitors located in Worthing or nearest you.

How does conveyancing in Worthing differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build or newly converted property in Worthing approach us having been asked by the builder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the property is built. This is because new home sellers in Worthing usually acquire the site, 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 Worthing or who has acted in the same development.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a house I put an offer in last month in what should have been a quick, chain free conveyancing. Worthing is the location of the property. Is there any guidance you can impart?

Flying freeholds in Worthing are not the norm but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Worthing you would need to get your solicitor to go through the deeds thoroughly. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Worthing 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 property.

If all goes to plan we aim to complete the disposal of our £450,000 garden flat in Worthing in 10 days. The landlords agents has quoted £420 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge exorbitant fees for a flat conveyance in Worthing?

Worthing conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes usually necessitates administration charges raised by landlords agents :

Completing pre-contract questions Where consent is required before sale in Worthing Supplying insurance information Deeds of covenant upon sale Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your lawyer will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Worthing leasehold premises is £350. For Worthing conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are obliged to provide the information.

I bought a ground floor flat in Worthing, conveyancing formalities finalised March 1998. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Similar flats in Worthing with an extended lease are worth £176,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2075

With just 50 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £31,400 and £36,200 plus legals.

The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.