Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Billericay:

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Billericay, you will need to appoint a conveyancing lawyer with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Lloyds, RBS or Nationwide be sure to find a lawyer on their panel. Find a Billericay conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Sample questions relating to Billericay leasehold conveyancing

I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Billericay. Before I set the wheels in motion I want to be sure as to the remaining lease term.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and almost all are in Billericay - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details 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.

Jane (my partner) and I may need to rent out our Billericay garden flat for a while due to a career opportunity. We used a Billericay conveyancing firm in 2001 but they have since shut and we did not think at the time get any guidance as to whether the lease allows us to sublet. How do we find out?

Some leases for properties in Billericay do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting consent.

Planning to sign contracts shortly on a leasehold property in Billericay. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully next week. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Billericay should include some of the following:

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, landlord
  • Setting out your rights in respect of common areas in the building.For instance, does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or hallways?
  • Will you be prohibited or prevented from having pets in the property?
  • You should be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a reserve fund?
  • I don't know whether the lease allows me to alter or improve anything in the flat - you should know whether it applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building For details of the information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Billericay please ask your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Billericay

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

    If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Billericay conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Billericay 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:

    • Can they put you in touch with client in Billericay who can give a testimonial?
  • What are the legal fees for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Billericay with the aim of speeding up the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Billericay can be bypassed where you get in touch lawyers as soon as you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold documentation needed by the purchasers’ lawyers.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s permission? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Billericay leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord approving such works. Where you dont have the consents to hand do not contact the landlord without checking with your solicitor in advance.
  • If you have had conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is very important that these are settled prior to the flat being put on the market. The buyers and their solicitors will be nervous about purchasing a flat where a dispute is ongoing. You may need to swallow your pride and pay any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You are still duty bound to disclose particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is clearly preferable to present the dispute as over rather than ongoing.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should make sure that you hold the original share document. Organising a duplicate share certificate can be a time consuming formality and delays many a Billericay home move. If a reissued share is needed, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this as soon as possible.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to verify this via your lawyers. A purchaser's conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to where the lease term is below 75 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an early stage that you identify whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • I inherited a leasehold flat in Billericay, conveyancing having been completed half a dozen years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Equivalent properties in Billericay with over 90 years remaining are worth £216,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 yearly. The lease ceases on 21st October 2083

    With just 60 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to range between £20,900 and £24,200 as well as costs.

    The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not take any other action placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Billericay