You should [be sent a copy of the lease|receive a copy of the lease]

I am hoping to complete next month on a basement flat in Castleton. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they report fully next week. What should I be looking out for?

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

• The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and aware of the importance of the 80 year mark
• Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, landlord
• The total extent of the premises. This will be the apartment itself but may include a roof space or cellar if applicable.
• Does the lease prevent you from letting out the property, or having a home office for business
• Whether your lease has a provision for a sinking fund?
• Repair and maintenance of the flat
• Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)

For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Castleton please enquire of your solicitor in ahead of your conveyancing in Castleton

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a two flats in Castleton both have in the region of 50 years remaining on the lease term. should I be concerned?

There are plenty of short leases in Castleton. The lease is a right to use the premises for a period of time. As the lease shortens the value of the lease decreases and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. This is why it is advisable to increase the term of the lease. It is often difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage companies may be reluctant to lend money on such properties. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We advise that you seek professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this field

Last month I purchased a leasehold house in Castleton. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner 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 ensure 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).

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Castleton conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Castleton conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with several firms including non Castleton conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be helpful:

• How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?
• Can they put you in touch with client in Castleton who can give a testimonial?

We expect to complete our sale of a £ 475000 garden flat in Castleton in 10 days. The freeholder has quoted £<Macro 'feeRangeWithVAT'> for Landlord’s certificate, insurance certificate and 3 years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Castleton?

Castleton conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes normally involves administration charges invoiced by landlords agents :

• Completing pre-exchange questions
• Where consent is required before sale in Castleton
• Copies of the building insurance and schedule
• Deeds of covenant upon sale
• Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your conveyancer will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Castleton leasehold premises is £350. For Castleton conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are obliged to provide answers.

Castleton Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

Does the lease include onerous restrictions? How much is the yearly maintenance fee and ground rent? In the main the cost for major works are not included within maintenance charges, although a few managing agents in Castleton require tenants to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against major works.