I only have Fifty years remaining on my flat in High Wycombe. I now wish to extend my lease but my landlord is missing. What options are available to me?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you have done all that could be expected to track down the landlord. For most situations a specialist should be useful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document to be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing High Wycombe.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to meet my requirements, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in High Wycombe. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in High Wycombe ?

Most houses in High Wycombe are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in High Wycombe so you should seriously consider looking for a High Wycombe conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in 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 requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a two maisonettes in High Wycombe both have in the region of fifty years left on the lease term. Will this present a problem?

There are plenty of short leases in High Wycombe. The lease is a right to use the premises for a prescribed time frame. As the lease gets shorter the marketability of the lease reduces and it becomes more expensive to acquire a lease extension. This is why it is often a good idea to increase the term of the lease. More often than not it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease as mortgage lenders may be reluctant to lend money on such properties. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We advise that you get professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this field

I've recently bought a leasehold property in High Wycombe. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

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 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).

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a High Wycombe conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a High Wycombe conveyancing practice) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non High Wycombe conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be of use:

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

High Wycombe Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

Can you inform me if there are any major works anticipated that could add a premium to the service charges? Generally speaking the cost for major works are not incorporated into the maintenance charges, although a few managing agents in High Wycombe obliged tenants to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific purpose of building a fund for larger works. Be sure to investigate if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For instance plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in certain buildings in High Wycombe. If you like the propertyin High Wycombe but your dog can’t live with you then you will be faced difficult determination.

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Lease Extensions in High Wycombe