Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in Corbridge

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Corbridge, you will need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Clydesdale , Yorkshire Building Society or Bradford & Bingley be sure to choose a lawyer on their approved list. Feel free to use our search tool

Recently asked questions relating to Corbridge leasehold conveyancing

I want to sublet my leasehold apartment in Corbridge. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Is permission from the freeholder required?

The lease dictates relations between the freeholder and you the flat owner; specifically, it will say if subletting is banned, or permitted but only subject to certain conditions. The accepted inference is that if the lease contains no specific ban or restriction, subletting is allowed. Most leases in Corbridge do not prevent strict prohibition on subletting – such a provision would undoubtedly devalue the property. Instead, there is usually simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly supplying a copy of the sublease.

Looking forward to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Corbridge. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Corbridge 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
  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • Will you be prohibited or prevented from having pets in the property?
  • Whether the lease restricts you from subletting the property, or having a home office for business
  • You should be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions) For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Corbridge please enquire of your lawyer in ahead of your conveyancing in Corbridge

    • Back In 2009, I bought a leasehold flat in Corbridge. Conveyancing and Yorkshire Building Society mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1991. The conveyancing solicitor in Corbridge who acted for me is not around.What should I do?

    First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Corbridge 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 freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

    I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Corbridge. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before my ownership?

    In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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).

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

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Corbridge can be avoided where you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to collate the leasehold documentation needed by the buyers lawyers.
    • If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s approval? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Corbridge state that internal structural changes or addition of wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such alterations. If you fail to have the approvals to hand you should not contact the landlord without contacting your lawyer in advance.
  • Some Corbridge leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, it would be prudent to place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. Any bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is financially capable of paying the annual service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the buyers or their lawyers.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should make sure that you hold the original share certificate. Obtaining a re-issued share certificate can be a lengthy formality and slows down many a Corbridge home move. If a duplicate share certificate is necessary, you should approach the company officers or managing agents (if applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity.
  • 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 conveyancers. A buyer’s conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale.

    • Corbridge Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

      Be sure to enquire if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For example plenty of leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Corbridge. If you love the apartmentin Corbridge but your dog is not allowed to live with you then you will be faced difficult choice. If a Corbridge lease has fewer than 80 years it will impact the salability of the property. It is worth checking with your bank that they are willing to lend given the lease term. A short lease means that you will most likely need a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of how much this would cost. For most Corbridgelease extensions you will be required to have been the owner of the property for two years in order to be entitled to extend the lease. Best to be warned whether window replacement or some other significant cost is coming up that will be shared amongst the leaseholders and will materially increase the the service fees or necessitate a specific payment.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Corbridge