Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Bookham:

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

Bookham leasehold conveyancing Example Support Desk Enquiries

My partner and I may need to rent out our Bookham garden flat temporarily due to a new job. We instructed a Bookham conveyancing firm in 2001 but they have closed 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 Bookham do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to review 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.

Expecting to exchange soon on a studio apartment in Bookham. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and informed of the importance of the 80 year mark
  • The total extent of the demise. This will be the flat itself but might incorporate a loft or cellar if appropriate.
  • Does the lease prevent you from letting out the flat, or having a home office for business
  • You need to be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • 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 rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide.
  • Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your premises and do you know what it means in practice? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Bookham please ask your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Bookham

    • My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Bookham. Conveyancing and National Westminster Bank mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Bookham who acted for me is not around.Any advice?

    First contact HMLR to be sure that this person is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Bookham conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

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

    If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Bookham conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Bookham conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be helpful:

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

    • What are the frequently found deficiencies that you see in leases for Bookham properties?

    Leasehold conveyancing in Bookham is not unique. All leases is drafted differently and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain clauses are not included. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

    • Repairing obligations to or maintain parts of the premises
    • A duty to insure the building
    • Clauses dealing with recovering service charges for expenditure on the building or common parts.
    • Maintenance charge proportions which don’t add up to the correct percentage

    You could have difficulties when selling your property if you have a defective lease primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. Nationwide Building Society, Chelsea Building Society, and Clydesdale all have very detailed requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease is problematic they may refuse to provide security, forcing the buyer to withdraw.

    Bookham Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

      Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge payments? Is there a share of the freehold? This information is helpful as a) areas may result in problems in the block as the communal areas may start to deteriorate if services are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the running of the building you will wish to know about it

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Bookham