I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Dunmow. Before I set the wheels in motion I require certainty as to the remaining lease term.

If the lease is registered - and most are in Dunmow - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars 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’m about to sell my ground floor apartment in Dunmow.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just had a half-yearly service charge demand – Do I pay up?

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 unless 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 today plan to offer on a house that appears to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have since found out that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Dunmow. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Dunmow ?

Most houses in Dunmow are freehold rather than 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 Dunmow in which case you should be shopping around for a Dunmow conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.

Back In 2008, I bought a leasehold flat in Dunmow. Conveyancing and Barclays mortgage are in place. I have received a letter 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 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Dunmow who previously acted has long since retired.Any advice?

First contact HMLR to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the new freeholder. There is no need to instruct a Dunmow conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I am looking at a couple of apartments in Dunmow which have approximately forty five years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a period of time. As a lease gets shorter the value of the lease decreases and results in it becoming more costly to extend the lease. This is why it is advisable to increase the term of the lease. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage lenders less inclined to grant a loan on properties of this type. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We recommend you seek professional help from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this field

Dunmow Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Queries Prior to Purchasing

How long is the Lease? Be sure to discover if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. By way of example it is reasonably common in Dunmow leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Dunmow. If you like the apartmentin Dunmow but your cat is not allowed to move with you then you will be faced hard decision. Can you tell me if there are any major works anticipated that could add a premium to the maintenance fees?

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Dunmow