Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in Helston

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Helston, you will need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Lloyds, Yorkshire Building Society or Bradford & Bingley be sure to find a lawyer on their panel. Feel free to use our search tool

Top Five Questions relating to Helston leasehold conveyancing

Frank (my husband) and I may need to let out our Helston 1st floor flat temporarily due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Helston conveyancing firm in 2003 but they have closed and we did not have the foresight to seek any advice as to whether the lease allows us to sublet. How do we find out?

Some leases for properties in Helston do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting permission.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have just been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Helston. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Helston ?

Most houses in Helston are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Helston in which case you should be shopping around for a Helston conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. 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 advise you fully on all the issues.

I am attracted to a two maisonettes in Helston both have about 50 years remaining on the leases. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As a lease gets shorter the saleability of the lease reduces and it becomes more costly to extend the lease. This is why it is often a good idea to extend the lease term. It is often difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage companies may be unwilling to lend money on properties of this type. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We recommend you seek professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Helston conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Helston conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non Helston conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be helpful:

  • How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation?
  • How many lease extensions has the firm carried out in Helston in the last 12 months?

    • Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Helston from the point of view of speeding up the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Helston can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation needed by the buyers conveyancers.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Helston leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. If you dont have the approvals to hand do not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor before hand.
  • If you have had any disputes with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are resolved before the property is put on the market. The buyers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where there is an ongoing dispute. You will have to accept that you will have to pay any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled prior to the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You are still duty bound to disclose details of the dispute to the buyers, but it is clearly preferable to present the dispute as historic rather than unsettled.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should make sure that you hold the original share certificate. Arranging a new share certificate can be a lengthy process and slows down many a Helston home move. If a new share is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (where relevant) for this at the earliest opportunity.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be advisable double-check via your solicitors. A purchaser'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 consider whether the lease requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale.

    • Helston Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

      Generally speaking the cost for major works tend not to be included within service charges, albeit that a few managing agents in Helston obliged leaseholders to pay into a reserve fund created for the specific intention of building a fund for major works. Is anyone aware of any major works in the near future that will add a premium to the service fees? Does the lease contain onerous restrictions?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Helston