Common questions relating to Clifton leasehold conveyancing
Looking forward to sign contracts shortly on a garden flat in Clifton. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Clifton should include some of the following:
- Defining your legal entitlements in relation to the communal areas in the block.For instance, does the lease permit a right of way over a path or hallways?
I’m about to sell my ground floor flat in Clifton.Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon but I have just had a quarterly service charge demand – what should I do?
Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear the service charge 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 until 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've recently bought a leasehold flat in Clifton. 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 lessee 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 be sure 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).
What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Clifton conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?
When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Clifton conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with two or three firms including non Clifton conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:
- Can they put you in touch with client in Clifton who can give a testimonial?
Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Clifton with the intention of speeding up the sale process?
- Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Clifton can be bypassed if you get in touch lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation needed by the buyers conveyancers.
- The majority freeholders or Management Companies in Clifton charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management information 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 frequent reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Clifton.
Clifton Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider before Purchasing
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Are any of leasehold owners in arrears of their service charge liability?
What is the name of the managing agents?
Is the freehold owned jointly by the leaseholders?
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