Harry (my fiance) and I may need to rent out our Cheetham Hill ground floor flat for a while due to a new job. We instructed a Cheetham Hill conveyancing firm in 2001 but they have closed and we did not have the foresight to get any advice as to whether the lease allows us to sublet. How do we find out?

Your lease dictates the relationship between the freeholder and you the flat owner; specifically, it will indicate if subletting is prohibited, or permitted but only subject to certain caveats. The rule is that if the lease contains no specific ban or restriction, subletting is allowed. The majority of leases in Cheetham Hill do not contain an absolute prevention of subletting – such a clause would undoubtedly devalue the flat. In most cases there is simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly supplying a copy of the tenancy agreement.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only Sixty One years remaining on my lease in Cheetham Hill. I need to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What options are available to me?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have made all reasonable attempts to locate the lessor. For most situations a specialist should be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document which can be used as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Cheetham Hill.

Expecting to complete next month on a basement flat in Cheetham Hill. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they report fully within the next couple of days. What should I be looking out for?

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

• The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and aware of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years

I've found a house that seems to be perfect, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Cheetham Hill. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Cheetham Hill ?

Most houses in Cheetham Hill are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Cheetham Hill in which case you should be looking for a Cheetham Hill conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor should advise you fully on all the issues.

All being well we will complete the disposal of our £175000 maisonette in Cheetham Hill on Thursday in a week. The landlords agents has quoted £336 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Cheetham Hill?

Cheetham Hill conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes more often than not necessitates the purchaser’s lawyer submitting questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to respond to these enquiries most will be willing to do so. They are entitled invoice a reasonable administration fee for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some transactions it is in excess of £800. The administration charge required by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that one has no option but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to sell the property.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Cheetham Hill - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

Be sure to investigate if the the lease contains any unreasonable restrictions in the lease. By way of example it is reasonably common in Cheetham Hill leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Cheetham Hill. If you love the apartmentin Cheetham Hill however your cat can’t live with you then you will be presented with a difficult decision. How is the lease structured? Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge payments?

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Cheetham Hill