The Daily Mail has warned their readers of the dangers of Chancel Repair Liability in their story “Homeowners face huge bills for repair to churches under ancient laws – regardless of their religion”.
The story published on the 30th December details the threat to homeowners saying that: “Letters have been sent to more than 12,000 people informing them that they are liable to contribute towards the upkeep of a nearby Anglican church under rules which date back to the reign of Henry VIII but are rarely enforced today.”
As well as explaining the impact of Chancel Repair Liability the article makes reference to the case of Andrew and Gail Wallbank who inherited a farm in Warwickshire.
They were ordered to pay over £100,000 towards repairs to Aston Cantlow church, and following a lengthy legal battle which ended in 2008 were left with no choice but to sell the property.
The Daily Mail said that a Freedom of Information application had revealed that 247 churches have so far registered 12,276 homes or plots of land as being liable.
Whilst the impact of Chancel Repair Liability is no new thing, coverage by papers like the Daily Mail will certainly raise awareness amongst the wider public.
