Conveyancing

 Conveyancer, Terese Kingman, looks at a new energy efficiency initiative for residential property

Property lawyer, Terese Kingman, summarises the basics

What is a mortgage?

At its simplest, a mortgage is an agreement between a lender and a borrower. The lender lends money to the borrower who promises to pay back the loan with interest. Usually the mortgage agreement will include a specified date for the loan and the interest to be repaid.

How is a mortgage created?

What is a Lease?
A lease is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant.  The tenant should have exclusive possession of the property which is the subject of the lease and the lease will be for a certain term, for example a lease for 6 months or for 999 years. 

What is a fixed term lease?
Most leases are for a fixed term ranging from, say, 3 years to 999 years.  The lease will finish at the end of the fixed term.

This checklist sets out when an energy performance certificate (EPC) is required for properties rented out as holiday accommodation.

What is an EPC?
An EPC is a certificate containing information about the energy efficiency of a building. 
When is an EPC required for a holiday let?

Therese Kingman of Slee Blackwell’s South Molton office takes a look at some of the searches solicitors carry out when buying property.

Slee Blackwell Solicitors has become Devon’s first ever legal practice to secure membership to the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme - the mark of excellence for the home buying process.

The practice, which has offices in Exeter, Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton and South Molton, underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residential conveyancing process.

Although we have covered this topic previously on this site, many clients tell us they would like to learn more about the topic.

We know that the relevant law can be traced back to medieval times. The church has long been permitted to demand payment from owners of former rectorial land in certain parishes for the upkeep and repair of the church chancel. For those of you who are not familiar with the internal layout of a church, the chancel is the area around the altar.

The imminent election has forced the Government to drop planned tax rises on holiday lets and phonelines and to reverse the extra tax on cider as of the end of June.

1) Are all property titles in England and Wales registered at HM Land Registry?