Chancel Repair Insurance

[pmakwana]

Ive just exchange contracts on a new property. However, I had to take out Insurance for Chancel repairs. Can anyone shed any light on this? I think it is due to the fact that there is a church within the area which is listed. Apparently all local residents need to pay for any repairs fo this church. I am a Hindu and have nothing to do with churches, yet I still need to take this insurance out. IS there anything I can do?

[buildersmate]

No there is nothing you can do.
I have to say this this a pretty unusual situation and applies to older properties only - I would hazard a guess this house is at least 150 years old.
Certain properties had from the start a convenant attached that makes the owner of the property liable for a proportion of the cost of repairs to the local parish church. In occasional circumstances the Church of England has used this convenant to call in expenses. Solicitors are now wise to this and will check when the land title is evaluated. Because your property has this convenant attaching, you are (correctly) being advised to take out an indemnity policy in the event it happens to you.
It may well be that the church is not even aware of this liability that you have - but it might find out. Shush!

[Ethel]

Please do not duplicate your post in different categories.

[rabbitygirl]

buildersmate (such a fan btw) you will also find this question in insurance.

My own indemnity mentioned over there is actually on a 1960's bungalow. The house didn't replace a previous building either. My solicitor said it was a surprise to see this come up on a newish property, but not unheard of. Indeed, I had more covenants etc on this house than a late Victorian house we bought a few miles away.

[buildersmate]

Thanks, Rabbity, I didn't know this (obviously - I'm not a Tetjam, whatever people may believe).
The answer to that is probably that because it's the LAND that comes with the convenant, and if an old house plus land with such a convenant existed, then dividing the land up into smaller plots does not remove the obligation on successive owners of the smaller plots.
Out of interest, was that your situation?

[rabbitygirl]

buildersmate - we are on a small estate, but part of a larger area of housing built on an old army barracks. All that is left is part of an old wall a couple of miles away.

I assumed the covenant was on the land,and full marks to them for thinking ahead to when the land could be built on.

We are, from my research, on the firing range!!!!!!!

Btw, as I've mentioned before, the only restriction on our Victorian house is that we do not boil tripe...... shame....

[buildersmate]

Must be to do with the smell created. Very sensible - at the time.