Glossary

Radon

Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It can be found everywhere in the UK and our Local Authority Searches confirm whether or not it is found in quantities that require some sort of action.

Railway Search

Unfortunately there is no statutory basis that requires Network Rail or its predecessors to respond to such enquiries. This is further confirmed in the Law Society Conveyancing Handbook which states that there is no official form of railway search. However we can always provide some sort of check on the position of the Railway for you.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

The new type of policy guidance and advice issued for each region in England by the Secretary of State. These documents also replace the Structure Plans formerly produced by the County Councils. They indicate how a region should look in 15 to 20 years time. It identifies the scale and distribution of items such as housing, areas for regeneration, environment, transport and economic development.

Regionally Important Geological / Geomorphological Site (RIGS)

Non-statutory sites of regional importance recognised by English Nature and local authorities.

Registered Land

This is simply land that has been registered with the Land Registry.

Remediation

This is the process by which contaminated land is made suitable for development. Details of some remediation work will be registered with the Local Authority.

Rent to Buy

This is a legal right given to some tenants to buy the freehold of the property they're currently renting. It is sometimes given to those living in a property owned by the Council.

Rentcharge

This is an annual sum payable to a third party even though the property is freehold. Common in some parts of the country as a means of income for a former owner or, more recently, to enable covenants to be enforced.

Report on Title

This is the detailed report on the property which is produced by the solicitor acting on behalf of the purchase.

Requisitions on Title

This is the standard set or pre-completion questions which has been produced by the Law Society.

Restrictive Covenant

These are legally binding restrictions, duties or conditions imposed on a property.

Right of Air

This is the basic right to a flow of fresh air that every property has and must be considered when a new neighbouring property is planned.

Right of Light

This is the basic right to light that every property has and must be considered when a neighbouring property is planned. Any new construction must not block and existing property's windows.

Right of Way

A right of way allows someone to pass over or through a property that they don't own.

Right to Buy

This is the legal right used for the Rent to Buy term.