I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Harwich. Before I get started I would like to find out the remaining lease term.

If the lease is registered - and most are in Harwich - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars 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.

Expecting to sign contracts shortly on a garden flat in Harwich. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Harwich should include some of the following:

• You should receive a copy of the lease

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently found out that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Harwich. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Harwich are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Harwich in which case you should be looking for a Harwich conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to dealing with 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 with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the freeholder’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a two flats in Harwich which have in the region of 50 years left on the leases. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

There are plenty of short leases in Harwich. The lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a period of time. As the lease shortens the value of the lease decreases and results in it becoming more costly to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is advisable to increase the term of the lease. It is often difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage lenders may be reluctant to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you seek professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this area

I've recently bought a leasehold property in Harwich. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

Harwich Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing

Be sure to investigate if there are any onerous prohibitions in the lease. For example plenty of leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Harwich. If you love the flatin Harwich yet your dog can’t move with you then you will be faced difficult decision. It is important to be aware whether window replacement or some other significant cost is due in the foreseeable future to be shared between the tenants and could well dramatically impact the level of the service charges or necessitate a specific payment. Many Harwich leasehold apartments will be liable to pay a service bill for the upkeep of the building invoiced on behalf of the management company. Should you buy the flat you will have to meet this amount, normally periodically accross the year. This may vary from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for bigger purpose-built blocks. There will also be a rentcharge for you to pay annual, this is usually not a large figure, say around £25-£75 but you need to enquire it because sometimes it could be prohibitively expensive.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Harwich