Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe:

Get a Quote

Any conveyancing solicitor can theoretically handle your leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe, your mortgage provider may unwilling to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Sample questions relating to Eaglescliffe leasehold conveyancing

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe. Before diving in I would like to find out the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and most are in Eaglescliffe - 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 am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to meet my requirements, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have just been informed that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Eaglescliffe. Conveyancing advisers have not yet been instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Eaglescliffe are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Eaglescliffe so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Eaglescliffe conveyancing practitioner and check that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the freeholder’sconsent to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor should advise you fully on all the issues.

Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe with the aim of saving time on the sale process?

  • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe can be avoided if you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation which will be required by the purchasers’ representatives.
  • The majority freeholders or Management Companies in Eaglescliffe charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management pack sought as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the residence would they have required Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Eaglescliffe state that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord consenting to such changes. Where you fail to have the approvals in place you should not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor first.
  • If there is a history of conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is very important that these are resolved prior to the flat being marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be concerned about purchasing a property where there is a current dispute. You may have to bite the bullet and pay any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the buyers, but it is clearly preferable to reveal the dispute as historic rather than unsettled.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but you should double-check by asking your conveyancers. A purchaser's lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the lease term is under 75 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • We expect to complete the sale of our £225000 garden flat in Eaglescliffe on Wednesday in a week. The management company has quoted £372 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and previous years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Eaglescliffe?

    Eaglescliffe conveyancing on leasehold flats usually requires the purchaser’s solicitor sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to address these enquiries the majority will be willing to do so. They are entitled charge a reasonable charge for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some transactions it exceeds £800. The management information fee levied by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration fees, otherwise the invoice is technically not due. In reality one has no choice but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to sell the property.

    Are there common problems that you see in leases for Eaglescliffe properties?

    There is nothing unique about leasehold conveyancing in Eaglescliffe. Most leases are unique and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain sections are missing. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

    • Repairing obligations to or maintain parts of the building
    • A duty to insure the building
    • A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party.
    • Service charge per centages that don't add up correctly leaving a shortfall

    You may encounter difficulties when selling your property if you have a defective lease as they can affect a potential buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage. Nationwide Building Society, Virgin Money, and Clydesdale all have very detailed requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease is problematic they may refuse to grant the mortgage, obliging the buyer to withdraw.

    Leasehold Conveyancing in Eaglescliffe - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

      Does the lease have more than 80 years remaining? It is important to be aware whether fixing the lift or some other significant cost is coming up that will be shared between the leaseholders and may well materially increase the the service costs or necessitate a specific payment. The best form of lease structure is where the freehold reversion is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this scenario the tenants enjoy control and although a managing agent is frequently employed where it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Eaglescliffe