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Hermitage leasehold conveyancing: Q and A’s

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

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and almost all are in Hermitage - 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.

My husband and I may need to sub-let our Hermitage basement flat for a while due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Hermitage conveyancing firm in 2003 but they have closed and we did not think at the time seek any guidance as to whether the lease permits subletting. How do we find out?

Notwithstanding that your previous Hermitage conveyancing lawyer is not around you can review your lease to see if it allows you to sublet the premises. The rule is that if the deeds are non-specific, subletting is permitted. There may be a precondition that you are obliged to obtain consent via your landlord or other appropriate person before subletting. The net result is you not allowed to sublet in the absence of first obtaining permission. Such consent is not allowed to be unreasonably refused ore delayed. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you will need to ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

Last month I purchased a leasehold flat in Hermitage. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee 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. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure 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).

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

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Hermitage conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Hermitage 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:

  • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Hermitage who can give a testimonial?

    • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Hermitage from the perspective of expediting the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hermitage can be reduced where you instruct lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to collate the leasehold information needed by the buyers representatives.
    • The majority freeholders or Management Companies in Hermitage charge for providing management packs for a leasehold homes. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the fee that they propose to charge. The management information sought on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Hermitage.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Hermitage leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring require a licence issued by the Landlord approving such changes. Where you dont have the approvals in place do not contact the landlord without contacting your lawyer before hand.
  • If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should make sure that you hold the original share certificate. Obtaining a duplicate share certificate is often a lengthy process and frustrates many a Hermitage conveyancing deal. Where a new share certificate is needed, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if applicable) for this sooner rather than later.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check by asking your conveyancers. A purchaser's conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is less than 75 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • I own a split level flat in Hermitage, conveyancing formalities finalised half a dozen years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent flats in Hermitage with an extended lease are worth £167,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 invoiced annually. The lease finishes on 21st October 2085

    You have 64 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £16,200 and £18,600 plus professional fees.

    The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional concerns that need to be considered and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Please do not move forward based on this information before getting professional advice.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Hermitage