Guaranteed fixed fees for Leasehold Conveyancing in Bembridge

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Leasehold conveyancing in Bembridge 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 Bembridge and throughout next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Examples of recent questions relating to leasehold conveyancing in Bembridge

I have just appointed agents to market my 2 bed flat in Bembridge.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

It best that you clear the service charge as normal because all ground rent and service charges will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I've found a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently discovered that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Bembridge. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Bembridge are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Bembridge so you should seriously consider looking for a Bembridge conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.

Last month I purchased a leasehold property in Bembridge. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before my ownership?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

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

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Bembridge conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Bembridge conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be useful:

  • If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Bembridge from the perspective of speeding up the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Bembridge can be bypassed where you instruct lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to collate the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers lawyers.
    • Many freeholders or managing agents in Bembridge levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should find out the fee that they propose to charge. The management pack sought on or before finding a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most frequent reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Bembridge.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s permission? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Bembridge leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord approving such alterations. Should you fail to have the consents in place do not communicate with the landlord without contacting your conveyancer in advance.
  • If you have had conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are settled prior to the flat being marketed. The buyers and their solicitors will be nervous about purchasing a property where there is an ongoing dispute. You may need to swallow your pride and pay any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled prior to the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal details of the dispute to the buyers, but it is better to present the dispute as over as opposed to unresolved.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should make sure that you hold the original share document. Obtaining a duplicate share certificate can be a lengthy process and frustrates many a Bembridge home move. Where a new share is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this as soon as possible.

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in Bembridge - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

      It would be wise to enquire if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For instance plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in in a block in Bembridge. If you love the apartmentin Bembridge but your dog can’t move with you then you will be faced difficult determination. Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability? You will want to find out as much as you can concerning the managing agents as they can either make living at the property much simpler or problematic. Being a leasehold owner you are often in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to practical issues such as the cleanliness of the communal areas. Ask other people if they are happy with their service. On a final note, be sure you understand the dates that the maintenance charges are due to the appropriate party and precisely what it includes.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Bembridge