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

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While any conveyancing practice can theoretically deal with your leasehold conveyancing in Hockley, your mortgage provider may not be willing to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Common questions relating to Hockley leasehold conveyancing

There are only 68 years unexpired on my flat in Hockley. I now wish to get lease extension but my freeholder is missing. What are my options?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the magistrate. You will be obliged to prove that you have used your best endeavours to locate the freeholder. On the whole an enquiry agent should be helpful to try and locate and prepare an expert document which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Hockley.

I am hoping to exchange soon on a basement flat in Hockley. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they report fully tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Hockley should include some of the following:

  • The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and aware of the importance of the 80 year mark
  • The total extent of the property. This will be the flat itself but could also include a roof space or cellar if applicable.
  • Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring?
  • You should be told what counts as a Nuisance in the lease
  • The landlord’s rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide.
  • Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For details of the information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Hockley please enquire of your lawyer in advance of your conveyancing in Hockley

    • I have just started marketing my 2 bed flat in Hockley.Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon but I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?

    Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the invoice as normal because all ground rent and service charges will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most managing agents will not acknowledge the buyer unless the service charges have been paid and are up to date so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

    What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a Hockley conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Hockley conveyancing practice) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you make enquires with several firms including non Hockley conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be of use:

    • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • How many lease extensions have they conducted in Hockley in the last 12 months?

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

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Hockley can be avoided where you get in touch lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation needed by the purchasers’ conveyancers.
    • The majority landlords or Management Companies in Hockley charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management pack sought as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Hockley.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Hockley state that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such works. Should you dont have the approvals in place you should not communicate with the landlord without checking with your conveyancer in the first instance.
  • If there is a history of conflict with your landlord or managing agents it is essential that these are resolved prior to the flat being marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be warry about purchasing a property where there is a current dispute. You may have to bite the bullet and pay any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal details of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as historic rather than unresolved.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the freehold, you should make sure that you hold the original share document. Arranging a re-issued share certificate can be a lengthy process and slows down many a Hockley conveyancing transaction. Where a reissued share is required, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where relevant) for this sooner rather than later.

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in Hockley - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing

      Are any of leasehold owners in dispute over their service charge liability? Who takes charge for maintaining and repairing the block? Does the lease contain onerous restrictions?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Hockley