Examples of recent questions relating to leasehold conveyancing in Chester
I am hoping to complete next month on a garden flat in Chester. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they are sending me a report tomorrow. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Chester should include some of the following:
- The physical extent of the premises. This will be the property itself but could also incorporate a loft or basement if applicable.
Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold house in Chester. Conveyancing and Lloyds TSB Bank mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1997. The conveyancing practitioner in Chester who previously acted has now retired.Do I pay?
First contact the Land Registry to make sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Chester conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
I am a negotiator for a long established estate agent office in Chester where we see a number of leasehold sales derailed due to leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given conflicting advice from local Chester conveyancing solicitors. Could you shed some light as to whether the vendor of a flat can start the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?
Provided that the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to kick-start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer need not have to wait 2 years to extend their lease. 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.
Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder 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 advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Chester conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?
If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Chester conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Chester conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be helpful:
- If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?
Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Chester with the intention of expediting the sale process?
- Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Chester can be bypassed if you get in touch lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to put together the leasehold documentation which will be required by the purchasers’ representatives.
- In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s permission? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Chester state that internal structural alterations or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such alterations. If you dont have the approvals in place do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your conveyancer before hand.
Chester Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to buying
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Does the lease have in excess of 90 years left?
How much is the ground rent and service charge?
Is the freehold reversion owned jointly by the leaseholders?
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