Chancel Repair Liability – Historical Nonsense?

Chancel repair liability is the historic liability for parishioners, attached to their property, to contribute for the upkeep of a church chancel. Under the Chancel Repairs Act 1932 the Parochial Church Council ("PCC") has the power to serve a demand on a property owner to pay towards the cost of repairing the chancel. If the owner fails to pay, the PCC can demand payment through the courts.

If a liability is established, that liability may be joint and several so that the owner of a particular property may be called upon to cover the whole cost of repairing the chancel.

Whilst any address containing reference to "Vicarage", "Rectory", "Glebe" or "Manor" may be indicative of a possible liability, it is important to note that the land in question need not be near a particular church.