Chancel repair liability

Richard_Webster

Some solicitors still haven't cottoned on.

Why pay £15 + VAT for a chancel check and then if it comes back with potential risk the client has to pay another £59 for basic cover when many solicitors now have block polices. Mine costs £15 (no VAT) for perpetual cover - so why bother even doing the Chancel Check Search?

Because the solicitor didn't have a block policy OP has had to pay out £59 more than he needed to!

timmyt

all conveyancers are constantly bombarded with the optino to globally insure a chancel repair, but up front information is more preferable to most clients, as 90% of the time, the proeprty is not in any effected parish. I'd rather know that than simply my proeprty has insurance and I don't know one way or the other. it is not quite a lazy man's option, but it is moving that way, whereas most firms like to give clients the fullest picture.

conveyancers make no mark up whatever option they take (actually some probably do) it is simply about giving best information possible.

heck, conveyancers could do no searches, and simply insure the lot, not even Local Authority search (and those conveyancers who use search agents to do personal local seaerches are basically only insuring as they are no substitute for an official local search done through the horse's mouth - the Council) but they don't and would certianly be unwise for a lawsuit point of view.

there are even new insurance policis that can be taken out to cover most risks in one go, and so soon there will be outfits set up who just take out one of these policies and do no investigation - and yet they'll be cheap and so sucker people in.

Richard_Webster

TimmyT you know that in fact the real risk with Chancel Repairs is very small indeed.

Because the risk is there we can't totally ignore it. I'm glad you have the time to spend explaining all the ins and outs of Chancel Repair liability to your clients, who are no doubt edified at the end.

My website does explain it in lurid detail and I would refer people to the page about it if they ask - but for most people to be told that there is a small risk and we can cover it for £10-£15 it is a lot simpler for all concerned. This saves all the business of dealing with comments like "The 1960s church we live next door to doesn't need any repairs....", etc, etc.

timmyt

Richard_Webster wrote: »

TimmyT you know that in fact the real risk with Chancel Repairs is very small indeed.

Because the risk is there we can't totally ignore it. I'm glad you have the time to spend explaining all the ins and outs of Chancel Repair liability to your clients, who are no doubt edified at the end.

My website does explain it in lurid detail and I would refer people to the page about it if they ask - but for most people to be told that there is a small risk and we can cover it for £10-£15 it is a lot simpler for all concerned. This saves all the business of dealing with comments like "The 1960s church we live next door to doesn't need any repairs....", etc, etc.

the time we spend explaining is via a well prepared letter create about 3 years ago. website/letter either way.

with 13 October 2013 looming, get your unregistered deeds registered is also a great way to potentially avoid the liability altogether.

tbs624

timmyt wrote: »

with 13 October 2003 looming, get your unregistered deeds registered is also a great way to potentially avoid the liability altogether.

timmyt travels back in time.......:D