Chancel Liability

NVP

NVP

NVP

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Does anyone have insurance for Chancel liability? Has anyone ever had to pay or claim on this at all?


I'm completing on a property next week and the current owner wasn't aware their property fell within the boundary and has never heard of it before. I asked them to speak with neighbours but no one seems to. They've lived there for a 20 years.

The surveys clearly show it falls within the boundary, which is not surprising since the Church is literally opposite the house.


I'm wondering if I need the insurance to cover it or not? I don't know whether it's still a thing or perhaps something from back in the day.

Any info would be appreciated :)

Thanks
 
Le Clandestin Brun said:
Does anyone have insurance for Chancel liability? Has anyone ever had to pay or claim on this at all?


I'm completing on a property next week and the current owner wasn't aware their property fell within the boundary and has never heard of it before. I asked them to speak with neighbours but no one seems to. They've lived there for a 20 years.

The surveys clearly show it falls within the boundary, which is not surprising since the Church is literally opposite the house.


I'm wondering if I need the insurance to cover it or not? I don't know whether it's still a thing or perhaps something from back in the day.

Any info would be appreciated :)

Thanks
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I seem to recall it being automatically purchased for me as part of the solicitors' package... but don't have access to those docs right now
 
Thanks, have you ever had to claim or even received any letters relating to chancel costs or boundaries etc.?
 
From previous research it's usually cheaper just to pay the insurance than it is to figure out if you would be liable for any costs
 
Steeps said:
From previous research it's usually cheaper just to pay the insurance than it is to figure out if you would be liable for any costs
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This. We have it and don't expect it to ever be of any use, but in the grand scheme of things it was a tiny cost (which probably reflects how unlikely it is to be needed).
 
uchuff said:
This. We have it and don't expect it to ever be of any use, but in the grand scheme of things it was a tiny cost (which probably reflects how unlikely it is to be needed).
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Totally agree with this the cost involved in the insurance is so small I’d just sign up to it put the paperwork in the house file and forget about it digging into it could wast days of your life!
 
Yeh thanks all, perhaps I just pay it and forget about it. Was just wondering if it was still a common scenario these days.
 
Just checked my documentation from the solicitor. There's a chancel liability policy in there, as I thought. £1m cover for a once-off premium of £15
 
Thanks so much. I'm pretty sure the quote I received via my solicitors was a monthly or annual charge so that's really good to know. I will shop around and see whats about :) thank you
 
Le Clandestin Brun said:
Thanks so much. I'm pretty sure the quote I received via my solicitors was a monthly or annual charge so that's really good to know. I will shop around and see whats about :) thank you
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When and how do I pay?
A one off premium must be paid by the Insured or on the Insured’s behalf to First Title Insurance plc within 35
days of issuance of the Policy.

When does the cover start and end?
The coverage starts on the Policy Date as set out in the Policy Schedule and its term is in perpetuity.

if it helps, my policy is with https://www.firsttitle.co.uk/
 
My last two house moves involved chancel checks etc. The conveyancing company sorted this out and just included the fee in their itemised bill at the end.
 
Sinbad2000 said:
When and how do I pay?
A one off premium must be paid by the Insured or on the Insured’s behalf to First Title Insurance plc within 35
days of issuance of the Policy.

When does the cover start and end?
The coverage starts on the Policy Date as set out in the Policy Schedule and its term is in perpetuity.

if it helps, my policy is with https://www.firsttitle.co.uk/
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Thats really helpful, thank you.

I've just double checked what I was quoted and it doesn't actually state PA or monthly but doesn't say one off either (although I haven't delved into the T&C), it is also ~£140. I must have just assumed it was yearly based on it being the usual way insurance works.

I will get a quote via your linked company, thanks so much :)
 
gort said:
My last two house moves involved chancel checks etc. The conveyancing company sorted this out and just included the fee in their itemised bill at the end.
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Thanks. The Chancel check returned liability which is why I'm querying the insurance. It just seemed quite medieval lol
 
Le Clandestin Brun said:
Thanks. The Chancel check returned liability which is why I'm querying the insurance. It just seemed quite medieval lol
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Now that I read the docs again, I saw the following in the covering letter from the solicitor about the checks findings:

If land is subject to chancel repair liability, the owner is obliged to contribute towards repairs
to the chancel of a medieval church. Although the liability dates back to medieval law, it
attaches to former rectorial land. This land is likely to have been divided up into numerous
parcels and, therefore, the liability has been found to effect individual people’s homes.
It is important to note that if your property is subject to chancel repair liability, you could be
liable for the entire cost of repairing the chancel of the church. The Parochial Church Council
(PCC), which is now responsible for the upkeep of the parish church, does not have to divide
the liability between all owners of land which is subject to the liability.
In order to protect our clients we automatically arrange for an indemnity insurance policy on
behalf of our clients. This policy covers you should a claim be made against you as the owner
of the property. There is a one off fee for this policy which is included with in the
search bundle fee initially provided. This policy will be valid for the duration of your
ownership, it does not cover your successors in title. A Chancel Check search is available
however, obtaining an indemnity policy is substantially cheaper than the search which incurs
a fee of £24.00
 
Shouldn't this type of practice be reviewed now? I mean, for our Gudwaras we donate as a religious or cultural community which makes sense. It doesn't make sense for those who aren't religious etc. to donate to the upkeep.

I understand Christian country and historical etc. but just seems so out dated.
 
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