Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in Flackwell Heath

Get a Quote

When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Flackwell Heath, you will need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Santander, Birmingham Midshires or NatWest make sure you find a lawyer on their panel. Feel free to use our search tool

Sample questions relating to Flackwell Heath leasehold conveyancing

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Flackwell Heath. Before I set the wheels in motion I would like to find out the number of years remaining on the lease.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and most are in Flackwell Heath - 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 have just appointed agents to market my 2 bed apartment in Flackwell Heath.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?

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 managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer until 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've found a house that seems to be perfect, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Flackwell Heath. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Flackwell Heath are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Flackwell Heath so you should seriously consider looking for a Flackwell Heath conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to 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 to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor will report to you on the legal implications.

I am looking at a two flats in Flackwell Heath both have about forty five years remaining on the leases. should I be concerned?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As the lease gets shorter the saleability of the lease reduces and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. This is why it is often a good idea to increase the term of the lease. More often than not it is difficult to sell a property with a short lease because mortgage lenders may be unwilling to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional help from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this area

Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Flackwell Heath with the purpose of speeding up the sale process?

  • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Flackwell Heath can be bypassed where you instruct lawyers as soon as your agents start marketing the property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the purchasers’ conveyancers.
  • The majority freeholders or managing agents in Flackwell Heath levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the fee that they propose to charge. The management information can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most common cause of delay in leasehold conveyancing in Flackwell Heath.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Flackwell Heath leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or installing wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord approving such changes. If you fail to have the approvals to hand you should not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor first.
  • If you have had any disputes with your landlord or managing agents it is very important that these are settled before the property is marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be concerned about purchasing a property where a dispute is unsettled. You may have to bite the bullet and discharge 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 details of the dispute to the buyers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as historic as opposed to unresolved.
  • If you are supposed to have a share in the freehold, you should make sure that you are holding the original share certificate. Arranging a new share certificate can be a time consuming formality and slows down many a Flackwell Heath home move. Where a reissued share certificate is required, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (if relevant) for this sooner rather than later.

    • Flackwell Heath Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

      Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge liability? This question is important as a) areas could result in problems in the block as the common areas may begin to deteriorate where services are not paid for b) if the tenants have a dispute with the running of the building you will need to have all the details It would be wise to discover as much as you can regarding the managing agents as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you will be at the mercy of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to day to day matters such as the tidiness of the communal areas. Enquire of prospective neighbours if they are happy with their service. Finally, be sure you know the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the relevant party and specifically what you get for your money.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Flackwell Heath