Leasehold Conveyancing in Frenchay - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Frenchay, you will need to chose a conveyancing practitioner with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Halifax, Yorkshire Building Society or Nationwide be sure to find a lawyer on their approved list. Find a Frenchay conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Questions and Answers: Frenchay leasehold conveyancing

There are only 68 years remaining on my flat in Frenchay. I now wish to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What are my options?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to track down the landlord. On the whole a specialist should be useful to try and locate and prepare an expert document to be used as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court covering Frenchay.

I’m about to sell my garden flat in Frenchay.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just received a yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge 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. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Frenchay conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Frenchay conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with several firms including non Frenchay conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be useful:

  • Can they put you in touch with client in Frenchay who can give a testimonial?
  • What are the legal fees for lease extension work?

    • Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Frenchay with the purpose of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Frenchay can be reduced if you appoint lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to collate the leasehold information needed by the purchasers’ solicitors.
    • Many freeholders or managing agents in Frenchay charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold homes. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management information can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Frenchay.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the property would they have required Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Frenchay leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord approving such alterations. Where you dont have the consents in place do not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor first.
  • Some Frenchay leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, it would be prudent to place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the yearly 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 service charge figures so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their lawyers.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but you should verify this by asking your lawyers. A purchaser's conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is under 80 years. It is therefore important at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale.

    • Our conveyancer has advised that he intends to complete and exchange simultaneously on the disposal of our £175000 maisonette in Frenchay next Thursday . The freeholder has quoted £420 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Frenchay?

    Frenchay conveyancing on leasehold apartments normally involves the purchaser’s solicitor sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to answer these enquiries most will be willing to do so. They may invoice a reasonable administration fee for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some situations it is above £800. The administration charge demanded by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in relation to administration fees, otherwise the invoice is technically not due. Reality however dictates that you have no choice but to pay whatever is requested of you should you wish to exchange contracts with the buyer.

    Frenchay Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

      Plenty Frenchay leasehold properties will be liable to pay a service bill for the upkeep of the block set on behalf of the landlord. Where you purchase the property you will have to meet this liability, normally in instalments during the year. This could differ from several hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large communal areas. There will also be a ground rent to be met yearly, this is usually not a significant amount, say approximately £50-£100 but you need to check it because occasionally it can be surprisingly expensive. Is there a share of the freehold? What is the name of the managing agents?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Frenchay