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

Get a Quote

Whether you are buying or selling leasehold flat in Henleaze, our panel of leasehold conveyancing experts will help you move with as little stress as possible. Find a Henleaze conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Frequently asked questions relating to Henleaze leasehold conveyancing

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Henleaze. Before I set the wheels in motion I would like to find out the unexpired term of the lease.

If the lease is registered - and almost all are in Henleaze - 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 am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have just been informed that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Henleaze. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Henleaze are freehold rather than 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 buying in Henleaze in which case you should be shopping around for a Henleaze conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor should advise you fully on all the issues.

I am attracted to a two apartments in Henleaze which have approximately 50 years left on the lease term. Do I need to be concerned?

A lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As a lease shortens the saleability of the lease reduces and it becomes more expensive to extend the lease. This is why it is generally wise to extend the lease term. More often than not it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage lenders less inclined to grant a loan on such properties. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We advise that you get professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this area

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Henleaze conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Henleaze conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with two or three firms including non Henleaze conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

  • How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?
  • How many lease extensions has the firm conducted in Henleaze in the last twenty four months?

    • Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Henleaze with the purpose of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Henleaze can be bypassed if you instruct lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers conveyancers.
    • The majority landlords or managing agents in Henleaze charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the actual amount of the charges. The management pack can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most frequent reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Henleaze.
  • Some Henleaze leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, it would be prudent to notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers put in hand financial (bank) and professional references. The 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 service charge figures so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors.
  • If there is a history of conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is very important that these are settled before the property is marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where a dispute is unresolved. You may need to swallow your pride and discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to completion of the sale. 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 particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as historic rather than ongoing.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your lawyers. A buyer’s lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is less than 80 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • Henleaze Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

      What prohibitions are contained in the Henleaze Lease? The answer will be useful as a) areas may cause problems for the block as the communal areas may start to deteriorate where maintenance remain unpaid b) if the tenants have a dispute with the managing agents you will need to have full disclosure Who takes charge for maintaining and repairing the block?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Henleaze