Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Castleton:

Get a Quote

Leasehold conveyancing in Castleton 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 Castleton and 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 Castleton

Due to sign contracts shortly on a garden flat in Castleton. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report on Monday. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • The physical extent of the premises. This will be the apartment itself but might incorporate a roof space or cellar if appropriate.
  • Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring?
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a sinking fund?
  • Repair and maintenance of the flat
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Castleton please enquire of your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Castleton

    • I have just started marketing my ground floor apartment in Castleton.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just had a half-yearly service charge demand – Do I pay up?

    It best that you discharge 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 management companies 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 appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have just been informed that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Castleton. Conveyancing advisers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Castleton ?

    Most houses in Castleton are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Castleton so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Castleton conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your solicitor will report to you on the legal implications.

    Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Castleton with the intention of expediting the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Castleton can be bypassed if you instruct lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the purchasers’ lawyers.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Castleton leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord approving such alterations. Should you fail to have the approvals to hand you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your lawyer first.
  • If there is a history of conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are resolved prior to the flat being put on the market. The buyers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where a dispute is ongoing. You may have to bite the bullet and discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of 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 are supposed to have a share in the freehold, you should ensure that you are holding the original share certificate. Arranging a duplicate share certificate can be a time consuming process and slows down many a Castleton conveyancing transaction. If a new share is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this sooner rather than later.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but you should double-check by asking your lawyers. A purchaser's conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is below 75 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • Our conveyancer has advised that he intends to complete and exchange simultaneously on the sale of our £325000 apartment in Castleton in just under a week. The freeholder has quoted £372 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Castleton?

    Castleton conveyancing on leasehold apartments normally requires the buyer’s solicitor sending questions for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to address these enquiries the majority will be willing to assist. They may charge a reasonable charge for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some transactions it exceeds £800. The administration charge levied by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration fees, otherwise the charge is not strictly payable. In reality one has little option but to pay whatever is demanded should you wish to complete the sale of your home.

    Castleton Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

      Is the freehold reversion owned collectively by the leaseholders? Are there any major works in the near future that will add a premium to the service charges? It is important to be aware if redecorating or some other significant cost is coming up to be shared amongst the leaseholders and may well dramatically increase the the service charges or necessitate a specific invoice.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Castleton