Many older houses in Bolton were originally sold on 99 year leases, and owners did not have any right to extend or renew their leases. However in 1967 the government passed legislation enabling owners to buy the freehold of their house, or to have an extended lease. Therefore, the majority of owners of these houses will previously have taken advantage of the legislation and bought their freehold. The title to such properties may specify that the title is subject to various covenants or other provisions contained in the original lease, in which case a copy of the lease will be retained by the land registry. However the title will be freehold, the lease is only relevant for the purpose of the covenants and provisions contained in it.

Solicitors do sometimes come across leasehold houses when Conveyancing in Bolton. In such cases the original lease was often granted for a very long term such as 999 years, and the owners have not considered it worth the expense of buying the freehold. As the ground rent is unlikely to be more than a few pounds, and is often not collected, buyers will generally regard such houses as if they were freehold.

Do you know if your new home is located in an at risk conservation area?

Local authorities define conservation areas to manage change in areas that people would like to protect from out of original character development. However, sadly many are falling into neglect e.g. increase in unsympathetic replacement doors and windows - typically pvc replacements instead of original sash type.

The following conservation areas are reported as at risk:

• Horwich Locomotive Works - very bad, medium vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Chorley New Road, Bolton - poor, high vulnerability and deteriorating.

Contact Jon Berry on 01204 336042 for more information.

Major regeneration initiatives in Bolton:

Expansion of University of Bolton, construction of a new health, leisure and research centre called Bolton One, and the refurbishment of Bolton Outdoor Market.

Bolton Road Safety and Traffic Management Schemes:

Affected areas include Claypool Road, Farnworth town centre, Market Street, Higher Market Street, Long Causeway, Albert Road, and Blackrod Bypass.

Conservation Areas in Bolton requiring planning permissions:

Bank Top, Barrow Bridge, Birley Street, Bradshaw Chapel, Chorley New Road, Churchgate, Deane Village, Deansgate, Dunscar Fold, Eagley Bank, Egerton, Firwood Fold, Greenside, Farnworth, Hill Top, Horwich Locomotive Works, Horwich Town Centre, Mawdsley Street/Nelson Square, Queens Park, Riding Gate, Ringley Fold, St Georges, St Pauls, Halliwell, Silverwell St/Wood St, Town Hall, Wallsuches and Westhoughton Town Centre.