I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Gatley. Before I get started I would like to find out the number of years remaining on the lease.

Assuming the lease is registered - and 99.9% are in Gatley - 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 want to rent out my leasehold apartment in Gatley. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Even though your previous Gatley conveyancing solicitor is no longer around you can check your lease to see if you are permitted to let out the apartment. The rule is that if the lease is non-specific, subletting is permitted. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you are obliged to obtain consent via your landlord or some other party before subletting. This means you not allowed to sublet in the absence of prior permission. The consent must not not be unreasonably refused ore delayed. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you should ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Gatley. Conveyancing and Halifax mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing practitioner in Gatley who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

First contact the Land Registry to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to instruct a Gatley conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

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

If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Gatley conveyancing practice) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you talk with two or three firms including non Gatley conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

• How many lease extensions has the firm carried out in Gatley in the last twenty four months?
• Can they put you in touch with client in Gatley who can give a testimonial?

Completion in due on our sale of a £ 375000 maisonette in Gatley in just under a week. The landlords agents has quoted £<Macro 'feeRangeWithVAT'> for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and previous years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge exorbitant fees for a flat conveyance in Gatley?

Gatley conveyancing on leasehold flats often involves the buyer’s lawyer sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to address these enquiries the majority will be content to do so. They are entitled levy a reasonable administration fee for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the information that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some cases it is in excess of £800. The administration charge required by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in relation to administration charges, otherwise the charge is technically not due. Reality however dictates that one has little choice but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to exchange contracts with the buyer.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Gatley - A selection of Queries Prior to Purchasing

Does the lease contain onerous restrictions? Plenty Gatley leasehold apartments will be liable to pay a service charge for maintenance of the block invoiced on behalf of the landlord. If you purchase the flat you will have to pay this liability, usually in instalments throughout the year. This can vary from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for buildings with lifts and large communal grounds. There will also be a ground rent to be met yearly, ordinarily this is not a exorbitant sum, say around £25-£75 but you need to check it because on occasion it could be many hundreds of pounds. Be sure to find out if the the lease includes any adverse restrictions in the lease. For instance it is reasonably common in Gatley leases that pets are not permitted in in a block in Gatley. If you like the apartmentin Gatley but your dog can’t move with you then you have a very difficult choice.