Frequently asked questions relating to Hockley leasehold conveyancing
Expecting to complete next month on a studio apartment in Hockley. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Hockley should include some of the following:
- Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, landlord
I have just started marketing my ground floor flat in Hockley.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a quarterly service charge invoice – what should I do?
It best that you pay the service charge 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 management companies 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.
I've recently bought a leasehold property in Hockley. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?
In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, 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 finding a Hockley conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?
When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Hockley conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non Hockley conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be of use:
- How many lease extensions have they completed in Hockley in the last twenty four months?
Completion in due on the disposal of our £250000 maisonette in Hockley in just under a week. The freeholder has quoted £372 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and previous years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Hockley?
Hockley conveyancing on leasehold flats often requires the buyer’s conveyancer sending enquiries for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is not legally bound to address such questions the majority will be willing to assist. They are at liberty invoice a reasonable administration fee for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is £350, in some transactions it is in excess of £800. The administration charge levied by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of entitlements and obligations in relation to administration fees, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. In reality one has no choice but to pay whatever is demanded should you wish to complete the sale of your home.
I inherited a studio flat in Hockley, conveyancing formalities finalised 2006. Can you shed any light on how much the price could be for a 90 year extension to my lease? Comparable properties in Hockley with a long lease are worth £269,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £55 per annum. The lease terminates on 21st October 2102
With only 79 years unexpired the likely cost is going to be between £11,400 and £13,200 as well as legals.
The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on the actual costs without more detailed investigations. You should not use this information in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.
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