Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Crewe. Before I set the wheels in motion I require certainty as to the unexpired term of the lease.

If the lease is registered - and 99.9% are in Crewe - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details 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.

I would like to sublet my leasehold flat in Crewe. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for their consent?

The lease dictates the relationship between the freeholder and you the leaseholder; specifically, it will indicate if subletting is not allowed, or permitted but only subject to certain caveats. The rule is that if the lease contains no specific ban or restriction, subletting is permitted. Most leases in Crewe do not prevent subletting altogether – such a clause would undoubtedly devalue the property. In most cases there is a basic requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly sending a copy of the sublease.

I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have since found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Crewe. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Crewe ?

The majority of houses in Crewe are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Crewe so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Crewe conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example obtaining the freeholder’spermission to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will report to you on the legal implications.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Crewe. Conveyancing and HSBC Bank mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing practitioner in Crewe who previously acted has now retired.Do I pay?

First contact the Land Registry to make sure that this person is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to instruct a Crewe conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

All being well we will complete our sale of a £425000 maisonette in Crewe in six days. The management company has quoted £324 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Crewe?

Crewe conveyancing on leasehold apartments typically necessitates fees being raised by landlords agents :

• Addressing conveyancing due diligence enquiries
• Where consent is required before sale in Crewe
• Supplying insurance information
• Deeds of covenant upon sale
• Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your solicitor will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Crewe leasehold property is £350. For Crewe conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are required to supply answers.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Crewe - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

Be sure to discover if there are any onerous prohibitions in the lease. For instance it is reasonably common in Crewe leases that pets are not permitted in in a block in Crewe. If you love the flatin Crewe however your cat can’t live with you then you will be faced difficult determination. This question is important as a) areas could result in problems in the building as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate where repairs remain unpaid b) if the leasehold owners have an issue with the running of the building you will want to have complete disclosure How many years are left on the lease?

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Crewe