A year today the medieval ruling granting the Church powers to charge those owning ‘rectorial land’ for the upkeep of the church chancel, will cease to be an overriding interest.
But what will that mean in practice? Conveyancing Liability Solutions Limited warn that conveyancers will need to be vigiliant.
There are more than 5,000 parishes across England and Wales that are entitled to register properties for Chancel Repair Liability.
As next year’s deadline looms, registrations by the Church are increasing rapidly.
Until the 13th October 2013, Chancel Repair Liability will continue to be a going concern meaning conveyancers should continue to carry out searches and where appropriate, insure against the risk.
English Heritage have released a statement to confirm that they would not offer a grant for chancel repair until all other possible avenues of sourcing aid had been exhausted.
As charities, Parochial Church Councils have an obligation to enforce the interest on liable land.
After English Heritage’s comments they may be more inclined to exercise this power.
On 1st April 2013 the Heritage Lottery Fund will assume responsibility for the ongoing funding to the Churches of England & Wales.
Any buyer purchasing a registered property or piece of land for ‘valuable consideration’ (after 12th October 2013) that has no entry relating to chancel repair liability is free of this liability, but if the liability has already been registered it is an obligation that lasts in perpetuity.
