Guaranteed fixed fees for Leasehold Conveyancing in Fetcham

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Fetcham, you will need to chose a conveyancing lawyer with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Halifax, RBS or NatWest be sure to choose a lawyer on their panel. Find a Fetcham conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Sample questions relating to Fetcham leasehold conveyancing

I would like to let out my leasehold apartment in Fetcham. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Is permission from the freeholder required?

Even though your last Fetcham conveyancing solicitor is no longer available you can review your lease to check if you are permitted to let out the apartment. The accepted inference is that if the deeds are non-specific, subletting is permitted. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you need to seek permission via your landlord or some other party in advance of subletting. This means that you cannot sublet in the absence of prior consent. Such consent should not be unreasonably turned down. If your lease does not allow you to sublet you will need to ask your landlord for their consent.

Looking forward to sign contracts shortly on a basement flat in Fetcham. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • You should be sent a copy of the lease
  • The physical extent of the demise. This will be the apartment itself but could also include a loft or basement if appropriate.
  • Defining your rights in respect of the communal areas in the block.E.G., does the lease grant a right of way over an accessway or staircase?
  • Does the lease prohibit wood flooring?
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • Repair and maintenance of the flat
  • 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 For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Fetcham please enquire of your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Fetcham

    • I've found a house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently discovered that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Fetcham. Conveyancing advisers have not yet been instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Fetcham ?

    Most houses in Fetcham 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. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Fetcham in which case you should be shopping around for a Fetcham conveyancing solicitor and check 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 will likely included provisions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your conveyancer will advise you fully on all the issues.

    Last month I purchased a leasehold flat in Fetcham. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

    Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee 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).

    Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Fetcham with the intention of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Fetcham can be bypassed if you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to collate the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers lawyers.
    • Many landlords or Management Companies in Fetcham charge for providing management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the fee that they propose to charge. The management information can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most frequent reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Fetcham.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Fetcham leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or installing wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord consenting to such changes. If you fail to have the approvals in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your solicitor in advance.
  • A minority of Fetcham leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this applies to your lease, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers put in hand financial (bank) and professional references. Any bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are financially capable of paying the annual service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your solicitors. A purchaser's lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is below 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an early stage that you consider whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • Fetcham Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

      What is the name of the managing agents? How is the lease structured? Does the lease have more than 82 years left?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Fetcham