Church And State

Ever heard of Chancel Repair Liability? Well, our cousins in the U.K. certainly have.

Seems that back in the middle ages, parish priests usually received a grant of land in their parish, called “glebe land,” any profits from which were to be used to help pay for major repairs to their church.

Even today, if your English country cottage is situated on some of this former parish property and a nearby steeple springs a leak, you may hear a knock at the door and find a parson with his hand out.

After a controversial court case in which a group of homeowners sued to be let off the hook for repairs – they lost and ended up owing approximately £500,000, or more than $783,000 – a law was passed in 2003 to finally put the matter to rest. Now, the Church of England and any other claimants have until 2013 to file a claim, and must list all current plots potentially liable for future bills.

In the meantime, though, with old land records unclear as to which modern plots were once parish property, practically every new homebuyer in England is stuck paying extra for their home in insurance costs on the off chance their house might end up on the list. In an even more delicious Catch-22, if you actually go to the trouble of researching ancient land records yourself to verify your home’s status, you’re no longer eligible for the insurance – since if you know it’s on glebe land, you are definitely and permanently liable, not merely at risk of being liable.

Back home, The Teller checked – seems a little Revolution we had over here ’round about 1776 dissolved any possible “glebe” claims.

You’ll find us out front, saluting the Stars and Stripes.