Quality lawyers for Leasehold Conveyancing in Hanslope

Get a Quote

While any conveyancing solicitor can theoretically handle your leasehold conveyancing in Hanslope, your mortgage provider may unwilling to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Top Five Questions relating to Hanslope leasehold conveyancing

There are only 62 years left on my flat in Hanslope. I need to extend my lease but my landlord is missing. What are my options?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to locate the freeholder. For most situations an enquiry agent should be helpful to carry out a search and to produce an expert document which can be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Hanslope.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since discovered that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Hanslope. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Hanslope ?

The majority of houses in Hanslope are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Hanslope so you should seriously consider looking for a Hanslope 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 lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer should appraise you on the various issues.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Hanslope. Conveyancing and Britannia mortgage organised. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing practitioner in Hanslope who previously acted has now retired.Do I pay?

The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Hanslope conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

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

If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Hanslope conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Hanslope conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be helpful:

  • How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?
  • What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Hanslope with the intention of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Hanslope can be reduced if you instruct lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers representatives.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Hanslope state that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring require a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such works. If you dont have the paperwork in place you should not contact the landlord without checking with your lawyer first.
  • Some Hanslope leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, it would be prudent to notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers put in hand 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.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should make sure that you are holding the original share document. Arranging a new share certificate is often a lengthy formality and slows down many a Hanslope conveyancing transaction. Where a reissued share certificate is needed, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where applicable) for this as soon as possible.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years remaining on your lease but you should double-check via your solicitors. A buyer’s lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the remaining number of years is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an early stage 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.

    • Hanslope Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

      Be sure to discover if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For instance it is reasonably common in Hanslope leases that pets are not allowed in in a block in Hanslope. If you love the apartmentin Hanslope however your dog is not allowed to live with you then you have a very difficult decision. What is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the flat? Is there a share of the freehold?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Hanslope