Chancel Repairs Forum

Chancel Repairs Forum » Chancel Repairs

1. Sarahrobinson
   Member

   Hi

   Can somebody help please? We're just in the process of selling our house and our buyers solicitors have said that our house has been identified on a Chancel Check Report but we have never heard of this and wasn't made aware of it when we purchased the house 6 years ago. I have just spoken to the vicar at our local church and he laughed when I told him as he said that they have just undergone a £250,000 refurbishment project which was paid for by the church. He said that the church was only built in 1824 and therefore, this chancel repair liability isn't applicable. He also said that it wouldn't be applicable because our house is only 10 years old!!

   Can you please clarify that this is correct before I respond to the Solicitor.

   Thanks very much in advance.

   Posted 2 years ago #

2. admin
   Key Master

   Hi Sarah

   I'm not sure on the age of the church part but regarding the age of your house that really won't make any difference if the land has this obligation.

   I think you'll find most houses get flagged as 'at risk' or whatever they call it.

   Its one of these things you just ought to have, you'll probably have to bite the bullet and take out an indemnity policy on behalf of the new owners. You could play hardball and make them pay but for the cost of the policy it might not be worth rocking the boat.

   Posted 2 years ago #

3. brucejohn
   Member

   I am amazed that you can give this advise. Why should anyone be expected to pay for anyone else's
   insurance? Surely the new owner should insure themselves against any repair costs! I am also in this
   situation and will certainly not be paying up - £53! Rock the boat, indeed!!?? My buyer really wants
   this house, and if she pulls out because I won't pay for her insurance - £53!!?? - I'll be flabbergasted,
   but quite happy to put it back on the market.

   Can you explain why the seller is being asked to pay for this? Why not the buyer? What happens if the
   seller does not pay - is that against the law? I doubt it. And I think you ought to be advising the seller
   to act within the law. Why are solicitors even sending such a request to the seller? It brings the
   Conveyancing procedure into disrepute; it's vexatious.

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. darren62
   Member

   My mother is selling her house and has just been told by her
   solicitor that she will need totake out an insurance policy to
   cover her for any church repairs. What I am amazed at is how this
   has suddenly come into force as I have sold two houses and never
   been asked to take out any insurance policy for this.

   Another thing that bugs me is that the solicitor has told her the
   policy will cost £150. Where does that figure come from and why
   should my mother, as advised by her solicitor, offer to pay half,
   or £75 to the cost of such insurance.

   Brucejohn posts on here that the cost was £53 for him so how come
   my mother's solicitor is quoting her £150?

   Why should these even be enforcable anyway when all of us council
   tax payers pay a yearly fee to our parish for the upkeep of the
   parish.

   IMO something stinks here and I don't like it.

   If she has to get a policy I am sure she will as her solicitors are
   kind of frightening her that the house sale may fal through if she
   doesn't take out the insurance and at 70 I think they know she will
   not risk it.

   Posted 11 months ago #

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