With Oasis fever recently gripping the nation, let’s not forget who beat them to Top of the Pops!
If you aspire to live “…in a house… in the country”, our Top Ten Tracks are your soundtrack to guide you home.
- Water
The right to water entitles everyone in the UK to access sufficient, safe and affordable water. Around 1% of the population of England relies on a private water supply not provided by a water company. It is not uncommon for rural properties to rely on a natural spring, well, watercourse or borehole.
You will want to ensure that the supply is consistent, that there are adequate rights to maintain, repair, and even replace the system, and that there have been no quality or health risks.
- Sewerage
Private drainage systems like cesspools, septic tanks and package treatment plants are not uncommon for rural properties.
As the owner, you are responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. Your solicitor will need to ensure adequate rights to repair and maintain if any part of the system lies beyond the property being purchased.
The general binding rules were updated in 2023. In essence, you will not need a waste permit if you meet all its specific requirements. Your solicitor will advise you on this. The seller should get a survey of the system to avoid any delays.
- Heating
Wood burners, Rayburns, and electric fires can be attractive and cosy options for any property. In remote locations, you are unlikely to have a mains gas supply. Specific rules and regulations govern their installation; your solicitor should ensure the relevant certification and approval are in place.
- Rights of way
Whilst a public footpath or bridleway on the doorstep may sound enticing, you’ll want to know the exact location of any public right of way. It could pass through your property, impacting your rural idyll and the value of your home.
Your solicitor should ensure that all appropriate searches and enquiries are carried out to identify any rights and ensure that there have been no historical issues.
- Sporting rights
The right to hunt, shoot or fish on your property is an attractive option. Historically, these rights may have been reserved to a local landowner or included in the sale.
The law in this area is highly technical. Your solicitor will keep you right.
Over on Disc 2, we’ll consider third-party occupation, planning, tax implications, boundary and access.
For more information about this article or any other aspect of rural law, get in touch with your Napthens Solicitors in Preston, Cumbria, Fylde Coast, and across the North West, today.
