Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Ascot:

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Leasehold conveyancing in Ascot is more complex than freehold. Your home move will be smoother where you choose a lawyer with a wealth of experience of leasehold conveyancing in Ascot and across next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Ascot leasehold conveyancing Example Support Desk Enquiries

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Ascot. Before I set the wheels in motion I would like to find out the number of years remaining on the lease.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and 99.9% are in Ascot - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title.For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

I have recently realised that I have 62 years remaining on my flat in Ascot. I am keen to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What should I do?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the magistrate. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you have used your best endeavours to track down the lessor. In some cases an enquiry agent should be helpful to carry out a search and to produce a report to be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a solicitor both on devolving into the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Ascot.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a two apartments in Ascot both have about forty five years unexpired on the lease term. should I be concerned?

There are no two ways about it. A leasehold flat in Ascot is a wasting asset as a result of the reducing lease term. The nearer the lease gets to its expiry date, the more it adversely affects the salability of the property. For most buyers and banks, leases with less than 75 years become less and less marketable. 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 property 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 Ascot 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 They may agree to a smaller lump sum and an increase in the ground rent, but to shorter extension terms in return. 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.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Ascot conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Ascot conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Ascot conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

  • How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Ascot who can give a testimonial?

    • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Ascot from the perspective of saving time on the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Ascot can be reduced where you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the purchasers’ solicitors.
    • The majority landlords or Management Companies in Ascot levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should discover the fee that they propose to charge. The management information can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Ascot.
  • Some Ascot leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, it would be prudent to place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is 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 buyers or their lawyers.
  • If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should make sure that you have the original share certificate. Organising a duplicate share certificate can be a lengthy process and delays many a Ascot home move. Where a new share is needed, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this sooner rather than later.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your solicitors. A purchaser's conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to where the lease term is below 75 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible 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.

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in Ascot - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

      Who manages the building? Make sure you find out if the the lease includes any adverse restrictions in the lease. By way of example some leases prohibit pets being permitted in in a block in Ascot. If you love the apartmentin Ascot yet your dog can’t make the move with you then you will be presented with a difficult compromise. Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge liability?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Ascot