Frequently Asked Questions
What is ChancelCheck®?
ChancelCheck® is a unique, instant, low cost screening report designed for
the conveyancing profession to identify parishes where there is the continuing potential to charge for chancel repairs.
ChancelCheck® is the only service which combines historical parish boundary data, modern Geographical
Information System (GIS) mapping techniques and information derived from the relevant Inland Revenue Indices
held by the National Archive. ChancelCheck® accurately establishes whether or not a property is within
a parish that still retains the potential to charge for the cost of repairs to the church chancel as recorded
within the relevant Inland Revenue Indices held by the National Archive and in accordance with their Guidance Notes.
ChancelCheck® issues either a Report stating that there is a potential liability within the parish or a Certificate
confirming that there is no risk identified for the parish.
What information do you use to create ChancelCheck®?
We have sourced our data from the relevant Inland Revenue Indices housed at the National Archive. Our
historical parish boundary data is derived from the most accurate and comprehensive geo-rectified
historical maps and uses modern GIS methodology to pinpoint the location of the modern property in
relation to the historical parish boundary.
Does a property need to be near a church to be liable to pay for chancel repairs?
No, this is a popular misconception. Those properties that are liable can be located anywhere within the relevant historic parish boundary.
Why Use the National Archive Data?
The National Archive data is regarded as the primary and industry standard data used for Chancel repair searches.
Does the property need to be near a church to be liable to pay for chancel repairs?
No, this is a popular misconception. Those properties that are liable can be located anywhere in the parish.
Will the property documents/deeds provide details of this risk?
No, title documents registered with Her Majesty's Land Registry do not necessarily include information about
chancel repair liability. Chancel repair liability is what is known as an overriding interest in the land and
recent case history confirms that, while an anachronism, the liability is real and must be discharged even if
not on the title deeds.
What can happen if a conveyancer contacts a church direct to attempt to determine the relevance of Chancel Repair Liability?
This action can potentially place the church on notice about a potential liability within a parish,
invalidate any insurance cover negotiated and open the conveyancer to a professional indemnity claim if the church uses
the information to register the property.
How does the cost compare with doing a full chancel repair search?
ChancelCheck® is £15 plus VAT. When the check indicates a potential risk for the parish in which
the subject property is located we offer the ChancelSure® Insurance solution.
ChancelSure® Insurance now offers a suite of products with up to £1m of cover
for 25 years for both residential and commercial property. £250,000 cover costs only £54 (inc IPT) + Admin Fee
of £5.75 (inc VAT) = £59.75. This is half the cost of a full chancel repair search which does not provide a solution.
Why don't I just get a full chancel repair search?
In some instances this would be the appropriate form of action. However, it costs at least £100 and while it may confirm you have a liability and define the extent of that liability
it does not remove it or provide any financial cover for the defined risk. Once a risk has been identified for
that property insurance will be very expensive, if not impossible, to take out. The question is why pay twice
as much and still be liable when you can pay half as much and remove the worry?
Why is ChancelSure® Insurance a good solution?
A chancel repair liability does not affect how one enjoys a property. It is a bill/cost. If you are able to take
out a policy that removes this potential risk then the matter is more effectively dealt with. Standard chancel
repair searches are not warranted and even if no information is found that would indicate a liability for a
particular property there is no guarantee that it is free from risk. ChancelSure® offers a simple and affordable "sleep easy" solution.
Who underwrites the ChancelSure® Insurance?
Hardy Conveyancing Insurances, underwritten by Syndicate 382 at Lloyd’s.
Does ChancelSure® Insurance cover the property, the owner/occupiers of the property or the lender?
The insurance products can cover either the homeowner/purchaser of the property and the First Mortgagee or the homeowner, mortgagee and successors for a period of 25 years.
How quick will I get a response?
You will be emailed a ChancelCheck® and/or ChancelSure® Insurance within minutes.
What was the highest amount ever claimed by the Church of England for chancel repairs against an individual?
The highest recorded amount is £96,000 claimed in 2003.
How much PI cover does Conveyancing Liability Solutions Limited, the provider of the ChancelCheck® service, hold?
£5 million, underwritten by a Lloyd's Syndicate.
What is your Limit of Indemnity per claim?
£250,000.
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