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

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Leasehold conveyancing in Hailsham is more complex than freehold. Your home move will be smoother where you choose a lawyer with a wealth of experience of leasehold conveyancing in Hailsham and across next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Hailsham leasehold conveyancing: Q and A’s

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Hailsham. Before I set the wheels in motion I want to be sure as to the unexpired term of the lease.

Assuming the lease is registered - and almost all are in Hailsham - 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 basement flat in Hailsham.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just received a yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

The sensible thing to do is pay 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 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 today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Hailsham. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Hailsham ?

The majority of houses in Hailsham are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Hailsham in which case you should be looking for a Hailsham conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should appraise you on the various issues.

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

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Hailsham conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Hailsham conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be helpful:

  • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Hailsham with the intention of speeding up the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Hailsham can be reduced where you get in touch lawyers as soon as you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the purchasers’ representatives.
    • Many landlords or Management Companies in Hailsham levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold homes. You or your lawyers should find out the fee that they propose to charge. The management information can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hailsham.
  • A minority of Hailsham leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, you should notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. Any bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is financially capable of paying 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 actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their lawyers.
  • If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should ensure that you have the original share certificate. Organising a replacement share certificate is often a lengthy formality and slows down many a Hailsham home move. Where a duplicate share is necessary, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where applicable) for this sooner rather than later.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but you should verify this by asking your lawyers. A purchaser's conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to where the lease term is less than 80 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • Hailsham 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 payments? How much is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the property? The answer will be helpful as a) areas may result in problems in the block as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate where services remain unpaid b) if the leasehold owners have a dispute with the managing agents you will need to have full disclosure

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Hailsham