Recently asked questions relating to Cheetham Hill leasehold conveyancing
I have just appointed agents to market my garden flat in Cheetham Hill.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a half-yearly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?
The sensible thing to do is clear 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 own a leasehold flat in Cheetham Hill. Conveyancing and Platform Home Loans Ltd mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Cheetham Hill who previously acted has now retired.Do I pay?
The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is indeed the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Cheetham Hill conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. You should note 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.
I am attracted to a two maisonettes in Cheetham Hill both have in the region of 50 years unexpired on the lease term. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?
There are plenty of short leases in Cheetham Hill. The lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As the lease shortens the value of the lease reduces and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. This is why it is generally wise to increase the term of the lease. Sometimes it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease as mortgage companies less inclined to grant a loan on such properties. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this area
I work for a busy estate agent office in Cheetham Hill where we see a few leasehold sales jeopardised as a result of short leases. I have received conflicting advice from local Cheetham Hill conveyancing solicitors. Please can you confirm whether the owner of a flat can commence the lease extension formalities for the purchaser on completion of the sale?
As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to commence the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the proposed purchaser need not have to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done before, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.
An alternative approach is to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.
What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Cheetham Hill conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?
When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Cheetham Hill conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non Cheetham Hill conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be helpful:
- Can they put you in touch with client in Cheetham Hill who can give a testimonial?
I am the registered owner of a studio flat in Cheetham Hill, conveyancing formalities finalised 2010. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Equivalent flats in Cheetham Hill with a long lease are worth £187,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2088
With just 67 years unexpired the likely cost is going to span between £12,400 and £14,200 plus costs.
The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.
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