There are only Sixty One years left on my lease in Ash. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is missing. What should I do?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, 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 lengthened by the magistrate. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to track down the landlord. In some cases an enquiry agent would be useful to try and locate and prepare an expert document which can be used as evidence that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Ash.

I am hoping to exchange soon on a basement flat in Ash. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they will have a report out to me on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Ash should include some of the following:

• How long the lease is You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and aware of the importance of the 80 year mark

I've found a house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Ash. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Ash are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Ash so you should seriously consider looking for a Ash conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a Ash conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Ash conveyancing practice) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with several firms including non Ash conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be helpful:

• Can they put you in touch with client in Ash who can give a testimonial?

Completion in due on the disposal of our £500000 flat in Ash next week. The managing agents has quoted £372 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and previous years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Ash?

Ash conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes often necessitates the buyer’s solicitor sending questions for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to answer these enquiries most will be content to do so. They are entitled charge a reasonable charge for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some cases it is in excess of £800. The administration charge demanded by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration fees, otherwise the charge is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that you have little option but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to sell the property.

Ash Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to buying

What is the service charge and ground rent on the flat? What restrictions are there in the Ash Lease? Please note if it is fewer than eighty years it will have adverse implications on the salability of the apartment. It is worth checking with your mortgage company that they are happy with residual term of the lease. A short lease means that you will almost definitely need a lease extension sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of what this will be. For most Ashlease extensions you will need to own the premises for two years before you are entitled to carry out a lease extension.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Ash