Frequently asked questions relating to Great Linford leasehold conveyancing
I only have 72 years left on my lease in Great Linford. I need to get lease extension but my landlord is missing. What are my options?
On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to track down the freeholder. On the whole a specialist would be useful to conduct investigations and prepare a report to be used as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Great Linford.
I have just started marketing my ground floor flat in Great Linford.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just received a yearly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?
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.
My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Great Linford. Conveyancing and Aldermore mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing practitioner in Great Linford who previously acted has long since retired.What should I do?
The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a Great Linford conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. You should note that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.
Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Great Linford conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?
When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Great Linford conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Great Linford 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 practice with lease extension legislation?
We expect to complete the disposal of our £500000 maisonette in Great Linford on Friday in a week. The management company has quoted £396 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and previous years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Great Linford?
Great Linford conveyancing on leasehold apartments more often than not necessitates the buyer’s solicitor submitting enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to address these enquiries the majority will be willing to do so. They may invoice a reasonable charge 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 £350, in some cases it is above £800. The management information fee demanded by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration fees, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. In reality one has no option but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to complete the sale of your home.
Great Linford Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before Purchasing
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It is important to be aware whether a new roof is being installed or some other significant cost is anticipated to be shared amongst the leasehold owners and may well dramatically increase the the service costs or necessitate a specific invoice.
Does this lease have in excess of 85 years remaining?
You will want to find out as much as possible concerning the company managing the block as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. Being a leasehold owner you are often at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to day to day issues such as the cleanliness of the communal areas. Ask other tenants what they think of their management. Finally, be sure you understand the dates that the maintenance charges are due to the managing agents and precisely what you get for your money.
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