I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Chigwell. Before diving in I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and 99.9% are in Chigwell - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title.For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

Due to complete next month on a leasehold property in Chigwell. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

• Defining your rights in respect of the communal areas in the block.By way of example, does the lease grant a right of way over a path or hallways?
• Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat?
• Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
• I don't know whether the lease allows me to alter or improve anything in the flat - you should know whether it applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required
• Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?
• The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building
• What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease?

My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Chigwell. Conveyancing and Clydesdale mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing solicitor in Chigwell who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a Chigwell conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Chigwell conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Chigwell conveyancing firm) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you talk with several firms including non Chigwell 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:

• If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?
• What are the costs for lease extension conveyancing?

Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Chigwell from the perspective of saving time on the sale process?

• Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Chigwell can be bypassed if you get in touch lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers solicitors.
• The majority freeholders or managing agents in Chigwell levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should find out the fee that they propose to charge. The management pack can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Chigwell.
• In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Chigwell state that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord consenting to such changes. Should you fail to have the approvals to hand do not communicate with the landlord without contacting your conveyancer in advance.
• If you are supposed to have a share in the freehold, you should make sure that you have the original share certificate. Organising a re-issued share certificate is often a time consuming process and slows down many a Chigwell home move. If a duplicate share is necessary, you should approach the company officers or managing agents (where relevant) for this as soon as possible.
• You may think that you are aware of the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your lawyers. A buyer’s lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is less than 75 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale.

After years of correspondence we are unable to agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Chigwell. Can we issue an application to the Residential Property Tribunal Service?

Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Chigwell conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Chigwell premises is 201 & 201a St. Barnabas Road in October 2013. The Tribunal decided that the price to be paid by the Applicants for the freehold interest is £20,071. This case related to 2 flats. The the unexpired residue of the current lease was 69.26 years.

I am the registered owner of a garden flat in Chigwell, conveyancing having been completed 4 years ago. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Similar properties in Chigwell with a long lease are worth £256,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £60 per annum. The lease ceases on 21st October 2090

You have 64 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £16,200 and £18,600 plus costs.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be considered and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward based on this information without first getting professional advice.