I would like to let out my leasehold flat in Crawley. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Even though your last Crawley conveyancing lawyer is not around you can review your lease to check if you are permitted to let out the premises. The rule is that if the lease is non-specific, subletting is allowed. There may be a precondition that you must seek permission via your landlord or other appropriate person in advance of subletting. This means you not allowed to sublet without prior consent. The consent must not not be unreasonably withheld. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you should ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

Expecting to complete next month on a ground floor flat in Crawley. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they will have a report out to me within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

• The length of the lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and aware of the importance of the 80 year mark

I have just started marketing my basement flat in Crawley.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a yearly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should 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 managing agents 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 am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to meet my requirements, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Crawley. Conveyancing advisers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Crawley ?

The majority of houses in Crawley are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Crawley in which case you should be looking for a Crawley conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the freeholder’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will advise you fully on all the issues.

Our conveyancer has advised that he intends to complete and exchange simultaneously on the disposal of our £450000 garden flat in Crawley next Monday . The management company has quoted £360 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Crawley?

Crawley conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes usually involves the purchaser’s conveyancer submitting enquiries for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is not legally bound to respond to these enquiries most will be content to assist. They are at liberty levy a reasonable charge for responding to enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some situations it exceeds £800. The administration charge demanded by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in relation to administration fees, without which the charge is not strictly payable. In reality you have no choice but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to exchange contracts with the buyer.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Crawley - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

The prefered form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this situation the tenants enjoy being in charge if their destiny and although a managing agent is usually retained if the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. Be sure to find out if the the lease contains any onerous restrictions in the lease. For example it is very common in Crawley leases that pets are not allowed in in a block in Crawley. If you love the propertyin Crawley however your cat is not allowed to move with you then you have a very difficult decision. It would be prudent to find out as much as possible about the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to daily issues like the tidiness of the common parts. Enquire of prospective neighbours whether they are happy with their management. Finally, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and precisely what it includes.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Crawley