chancel repair liability

What is chancel repair liability?

This is an ancient law needs to be enforced by the church to pay for repairs to it's church building.

- Some houses in the UK are in an area of potential chancel liability. About one third of the medieval parishes had this liability somewhere in their area. It doesn't affect all houses and the cut off can be quite random.

- Even if the church does enforce it the number of houses in the area will reduce any potenital costs as it spread between the houses

Chancel repair insurance is available - and is available as either 25 year cover for or perpetual cover.

Some solicitors can even arrange insurance for 25 year cover for £10 and perpetual cover for £15, so it isn't worth even doing the search - just insure in all cases.
So it is one-off £10 for all purchasers instead of £11.50 for the Chancel Check search and then another £59.85 if there is a potential liablity
Ask your own solicitor for advice though. The one I've spoken to recently said he recommends doing the search.

[Figures correct at time of writing - Feb 09]