Leasehold Conveyancing in Epsom and Ewell - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

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Epsom and Ewell leasehold conveyancing: Q and A’s

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Epsom and Ewell. Before diving in I require certainty as to the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is registered - and almost all are in Epsom and Ewell - 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.

Jane (my partner) and I may need to sub-let our Epsom and Ewell basement flat temporarily due to taking a sabbatical. We used a Epsom and Ewell conveyancing practice in 2001 but they have closed and we did not think at the time seek any advice as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

A small minority of properties in Epsom and Ewell do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting consent.

Expecting to exchange soon on a ground floor flat in Epsom and Ewell. Conveyancing lawyers inform 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?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Epsom and Ewell should include some of the following:

  • You should receive a copy of the lease
  • The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and aware of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years
  • The physical extent of the property. This will be the flat itself but may incorporate a roof space or basement if appropriate.
  • Setting out your rights in respect of the communal areas in the building.By way of example, does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or staircase?
  • Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring?
  • The landlord’s rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide.
  • 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 Epsom and Ewell please ask your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Epsom and Ewell

    • I've recently bought a leasehold property in Epsom and Ewell. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

    In a situation 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. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure 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 finding a Epsom and Ewell conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

    If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Epsom and Ewell conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Epsom and Ewell conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be helpful:

    • How many lease extensions have they conducted in Epsom and Ewell in the last twenty four months?
  • What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Having spent months of correspondence we are unable to agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Epsom and Ewell. Can we issue an application to the Residential Property Tribunal Service?

    Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Epsom and Ewell conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Epsom and Ewell residence is 33 The Maisonettes Alberta Avenue in June 2014. the Tribunal decided that the premium payable for the grant of a new lease be the sum of £20,680 (Twenty Thousand six hundred and eighty pounds). This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired term was 60.43 years.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Epsom and Ewell