Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in Dronfield

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Dronfield, you will need to chose a conveyancing practitioner with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Halifax, Birmingham Midshires or NatWest make sure you find a lawyer on their approved list. Feel free to use our search tool

Common questions relating to Dronfield leasehold conveyancing

Looking forward to complete next month on a studio apartment in Dronfield. Conveyancing lawyers have said 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 Dronfield should include some of the following:

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, landlord
  • The total extent of the property. This will be the property itself but might incorporate a loft or basement if appropriate.
  • Setting out your rights in respect of common areas in the building.For example, does the lease permit a right of way over an accessway or staircase?
  • Does the lease prevent you from renting out the property, or working from home
  • 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
  • What options are open to you if a neighbour breach a clause of their lease?
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Dronfield please enquire of your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Dronfield

    • I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have just discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Dronfield. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Dronfield ?

    Most houses in Dronfield are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Dronfield so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Dronfield conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

    My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Dronfield. Conveyancing and Santander mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing solicitor in Dronfield who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

    The first thing you should do is make enquiries of HMLR to make 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 Dronfield conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for less than a fiver. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

    Last month I purchased a leasehold flat in Dronfield. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?

    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. However, 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).

    What advice can you give us when it comes to appointing a Dronfield conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Dronfield conveyancing firm) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with several firms including non Dronfield conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be of use:

    • How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation?
  • What volume of lease extensions have they completed in Dronfield in the last year?

    • I bought a basement flat in Dronfield, conveyancing was carried out 10 years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Similar flats in Dronfield with a long lease are worth £253,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £50 per annum. The lease ceases on 21st October 2099

    With 74 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to span between £10,500 and £12,000 plus professional fees.

    The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we cannot give you the actual costs without more detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Dronfield