Leasehold Conveyancing in Appleton - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

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Frequently asked questions relating to Appleton leasehold conveyancing

I've found a house that seems to be perfect, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have since been informed that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Appleton. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Appleton ?

Most houses in Appleton are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Appleton in which case you should be shopping around for a Appleton conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your conveyancer should appraise you on the various issues.

I am attracted to a two flats in Appleton both have in the region of fifty years unexpired on the lease term. should I be concerned?

There are no two ways about it. A leasehold flat in Appleton is a wasting asset as a result of the shortening lease. The closer the lease gets to its expiry date, the more it reduces the value of the premises. The majority of purchasers and banks, leases with under 75 years become less and less attractive. On a more positive note, leaseholders can extend their leases by serving a Section 42 Notice. One stipulation is that they must have owned the premises for two years (unlike a Section 13 notice for purchasing the freehold, when leaseholders can participate from day one of ownership). When successful, they will have the right to an extension of 90 years to the current term and ground rent is effectively reduced to zero. Before moving forward with a purchase of premises with a short lease term remaining you should talk to a solicitor specialising in lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. We are are happy to put you in touch with Appleton conveyancing experts who will explain the options available to you during an initial telephone conversation free of charge. More often than not it is possible to negotiate informally with the freeholder to extend the lease You may find he or she is happy to negotiate informally and willing to consider your offer straight off, without having to involve anyone else. This will save you time and money and it could help you reach a lower price on the lease. You need to ensure that the agreed terms represent good long-term value compared with the standard benefits of the Section 42 Notice and that onerous clauses are not inserted into any redrafting of the lease.

I am employed by a long established estate agent office in Appleton where we have witnessed a few flat sales put at risk as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Appleton conveyancing solicitors. Please can you clarify whether the owner of a flat can instigate the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?

Provided that the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to commence the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the proposed purchaser need not have to wait 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done prior to, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a Appleton conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Appleton conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non Appleton conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be helpful:

  • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Appleton who can give a testimonial?

    • Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Appleton with the purpose of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Appleton can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and ask them to collate the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers lawyers.
    • Many freeholders or managing agents in Appleton levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold homes. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management information can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most frequent reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Appleton.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s consent? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Appleton leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. Where you fail to have the consents to hand you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your conveyancer before hand.
  • Some Appleton leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, you should notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers put in hand bank and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are financially capable of paying the yearly service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your solicitors. A buyer’s lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to where the remaining number of years is less than 75 years. It is therefore essential at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • Appleton Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask before buying

      You will want to discover as much as you can regarding the managing agents as they can either make living at the property much simpler or much more difficult. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are often at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to every day issues such as the tidiness of the communal areas. Enquire of other people whether they are happy with them. In conclusion, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and precisely what you get for your money. Are there any major works in the planning that will add a premium to the maintenance fees? For many Appleton leaseholds the outlay for major works tend not to be built into the maintenance charges, albeit that a few managing agents in Appleton ask tenants to pay into a sinking fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for larger repairs or maintenance.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Appleton