Insurance companies are profiteering by pushing home buyers into paying for inappropriate insurance products connected with chancel repair liability, according to the Law Society.
The Law Society said today that it is calling for the abolition of chancel repair liability and said 2,500 solicitors have already signed an online petition to get rid of the medieval right.
“It should be replaced with a more sensible system for funding the maintenance of historic buildings.
“The reality is that chancel repair liability only applies to a tiny fraction of properties and these insurance products have turned into a tax on home buyers, just when they can least afford it. There must be a better way to maintain our historic buildings and churches.”
The Rev Peter Rowe, a full-time solicitor and a non-stipendiary priest in the Church of England, added: “Insurance companies should be stopped from profiting from this medieval and inequitable levy.”
