Expecting to sign contracts shortly on a basement flat in Flackwell Heath. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Flackwell Heath should include some of the following:

• The total extent of the demise. This will be the flat itself but could also include a roof space or cellar if applicable.
• Defining your legal entitlements in respect of the communal areas in the building.For example, does the lease include a right of way over an accessway or hallways?
• Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this will change in the future
• Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
• Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?
• Responsibility for repairing the window frames
• What you can do if a neighbour is in violation of a provision in their lease?

I’m about to sell my garden apartment in Flackwell Heath.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a yearly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear the invoice 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 managing agents 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Flackwell Heath. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Flackwell Heath ?

Most houses in Flackwell Heath 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. It is clear that you are buying in Flackwell Heath so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Flackwell Heath conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will advise you fully on all the issues.

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Flackwell Heath conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Flackwell Heath conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you speak with two or three firms including non Flackwell Heath conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be of use:

• How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?
• How many lease extensions has the firm conducted in Flackwell Heath in the last twenty four months?

All being well we will complete the sale of our £ 475000 flat in Flackwell Heath on Wednesday in a week. The managing agents has quoted £<Macro 'feeRangeWithVAT'> for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Flackwell Heath?

Flackwell Heath conveyancing on leasehold flats more often than not necessitates the purchaser’s solicitor sending questions for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to answer such questions the majority will be willing to assist. They may levy a reasonable administration fee for responding to enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some situations it is above £800. The administration charge invoiced by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of rights and obligations in respect of administration fees, without which the invoice is technically not due. Reality however dictates that you have no choice but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to exchange contracts with the buyer.

I own a split level flat in Flackwell Heath, conveyancing having been completed 8 years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Corresponding properties in Flackwell Heath with a long lease are worth £186,000. The ground rent is £60 invoiced every year. The lease comes to an end on 21st October 2099

With only 73 years remaining on your lease we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £8,600 and £9,800 plus plus your own and the landlord's "reasonable" professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be considered and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.