I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in High Wycombe. Before diving in I require certainty as to the unexpired term of the lease.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and almost all are in High Wycombe - 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 want to sublet my leasehold apartment in High Wycombe. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

A small minority of properties in High Wycombe do contain a provision to say that subletting is only permitted with prior consent from the landlord. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience dictates 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.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in High Wycombe. Conveyancing and TSB mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1991. The conveyancing practitioner in High Wycombe who previously acted has long since retired.Any advice?

First make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to instruct a High Wycombe conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a High Wycombe conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a High Wycombe conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non High Wycombe 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 of use:

• If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

Can they put you in touch with client in High Wycombe who can give a testimonial?

All being well we will complete our sale of a £250000 flat in High Wycombe next Tuesday . The managing agents has quoted £336 for Landlord’s certificate, insurance certificate and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in High Wycombe?

High Wycombe conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes nine out of ten times necessitates fees being raised by freeholders :

• Addressing conveyancing due diligence enquiries
• Where consent is required before sale in High Wycombe
• Supplying insurance information
• Deeds of covenant upon sale
• Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your lawyer will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for High Wycombe leasehold premises is £350. For High Wycombe conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are obliged to supply the information.

High Wycombe Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Queries before buying

Where a High Wycombe lease has fewer than eighty years it will impact the salability of the apartment. Check with your lender that they are willing to to proceed given the lease term. A short lease means that you will most likely have to extend the lease at some point and you need to have some idea of what this would cost. For most High Wycombelease extensions you will be be obliged to have owned the residence for a couple of years before you are eligible to exercise a lease extension. It is important to be aware if changing the roof or some other significant cost is coming up to be shared by the leaseholders and may well materially impact the level of the maintenance charges or result in a specific payment. On the whole the cost for major works tend not to be built into the service charges, albeit that a few managing agents in High Wycombe require leaseholders to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for larger repairs or maintenance.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in High Wycombe