Leasehold Conveyancing in Brighton - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

While any conveyancing solicitor can theoretically handle your leasehold conveyancing in Brighton, your mortgage provider may unwilling to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Examples of recent questions relating to leasehold conveyancing in Brighton

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Brighton. Before diving in I want to be sure as to the unexpired term of the lease.

If the lease is registered - and almost all are in Brighton - 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.

I have recently realised that I have Seventy years unexpired on my flat in Brighton. I now want to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have made all reasonable attempts to locate the lessor. For most situations a specialist would be useful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document which can be used as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering Brighton.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my ground floor flat in Brighton.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a quarterly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the invoice 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 today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Brighton. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Brighton are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Brighton so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Brighton conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your solicitor should report to you on the legal implications.

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

When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Brighton conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you make enquires with several firms including non Brighton 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 helpful:

  • What volume of lease extensions have they conducted in Brighton in the last year?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Brighton who can give a testimonial?

  • Brighton Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Queries before Purchasing

      If a Brighton lease has fewer than 80 years it will have adverse implications on the salability of the property. It is worth checking with your bank that they are willing to to proceed given the lease term. A short lease means that you will most likely have to extend the lease sooner rather than later and you need to have some idea of how much this will be. For most Brightonlease extensions you will be required to have been the owner of the residence for two years before you are entitled to carry out a lease extension. Is the freehold reversion owned jointly by the leaseholders? The answer will be useful as a) areas could result in problems for the building as the common areas may begin to deteriorate if repairs remain unpaid b) if the leaseholders have a dispute with the managing agents you will need to have full disclosure

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Brighton