What is Chancel Repair Liability and do I need a Search or Insurance?

What is the Chancel Repair Liability law?

I am often asked what is chancel repair liability and does it still exist. Chancel repair liability is an ancient law which benefits around 5,200 pre-Reformation churches (built before 1536) in England and Wales. It is a long standing and legally enforceable liability to repair or contribute towards the cost of chancel repair of a parish church (the part of the church containing the altar). During the middle ages, monasteries acquired large amounts of rectories (an endowment including land to support the priest serving a parish). After Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, property belonging to rectories came into lay ownership.

Acts of Parliament made it clear that the new owners of the land had the same obligation to repair the church chancel as the previous monasteries did.

Chancel Repair Liability enables the Parochial Church Council (the executive committee of a church parish to require owners of land which previously formed part of a rectory) to contribute towards the cost of repairing the church chancel. This land is not always located in close proximity to the church in question. The owners of properties that fall under this may be liable to pay the local parish church for chancel repairs where this liability has not ceased under the Land Registration Act 2002.

Who can enforce the liability?

Under the Chancel Repairs Act 1932 this liability is enforceable through the county courts, whereas before 1932 it was only enforceable through the church courts (courts which have jurisdiction over matters dealing with church members rights and operate within civil law procedures in England). This legislation passed the responsibility to the county court and also names the responsible authority for enforcing the liability as the parochial church council of the parish church.

Since 13th October 2013, The Land Registration Act 2002 has stated that new owners of land will only be bound by chancel repair liability if it is entered into the land register by the parochial church council. Although the liability needed to be registered by this date with the Land Registry, chancel repair liability is still enforceable in certain circumstances where the liability has not been registered for example if the house had not been sold to another owner. Liability can only be removed from a property by proving it is incorrect or by persuading the parochial church council to withdraw it. Before registration of chancel repair liability was required, it was rarely shown on property deeds.

Does Chancel Repair Liability still exist?

The answer is a simple yes. Take for example the most high profile legal case involving chancel repair liability, Aston Cantlow PCC vs Wallbank. In 2009, the Wallbanks were forced to sell their home after losing an 18-year court battle against Aston Cantlow PCC. The couple were forced to pay for chancel repairs. The couple inherited Glebe Farm, which lay within former rectorial land of a 13th Century church in Aston Cantlow, Warwickshire. In January 1990, they received a letter from the Church informing them they were responsible for contributing towards repairing the church. After challenging the law, their case was taken to the High Court, who ruled the couple must pay over £200,000 to repair the church chancel as well as £200,000 in legal fees.

The Law Society have argued that chancel repair liability should be replaced with a different system to fund maintenance of historic churches. They also argue that chancel repair liability is often uncertain and it can be difficult to confirm the existence or extent of liability, as well as increasing the costs of conveyancing.

However, the Church of England has no central funds for the repair of churches, and although they can apply for funding to English Heritage, the Church is required to state if they have a lay rector. Where the church has a lay rector, English Heritage would expect them to be approached to cover costs before a grant is approved.

Do I need a Chancel Repair Search?

If the property that you are buying is registered there should be no need to carry out a Chancel Repair Liability Search. The Land Registry official copies would show if a liability existed. In cases, such as above, where a property has not been sold for valuable consideration, the cheapest option to make sure that there is no liability is to carry out a priority search at the Land Registry prior to exchange to protect against any registration subsequent and to keep up the priority until registration.

If, however, the property is unregistered then a search may be advisable depending upon the area. Question 8.4 of the Seller’s Property Information Form asks the seller if the Property is affected. That question must be answered honestly and to the best of the buyer’s belief. If there are any doubts then search and if a positive result is obtained, insurance can be taken out to cover a costly bill.

For further information on Searches or any aspect in relation to Conveyancing please contact one of Alexander JLO’s expert property team.

If you are buying a property and in need of assistance from one of Alexander JLO’s expert property lawyers why not give us a call on 020 7537 7000 or email quote@london-law.co.uk and see what we can do for you?

This blog was prepared by one of Alexander JLO’s property partners, Matt Johnson on the 12th February 2022 and is correct at the time of going to press. Matt is an expert in the field of conveyancing, with a specialism in new build and shared ownership work.

Matt’s profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be viewed here.