Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Hockley:

Get a Quote

Looking for a solicitor for leasehold conveyancing in Hockley on your lender’s panel? Make use of our search tool to find approved local Hockley conveyancing practitioners or national solicitors on your lender’s panel .

Frequently asked questions relating to Hockley leasehold conveyancing

I only have 62 years remaining on my flat in Hockley. I am keen to get lease extension but my freeholder is absent. What should I do?

On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application 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 Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to track down the landlord. On the whole a specialist would be helpful to try and locate and prepare an expert document which can be used as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Hockley.

I have just appointed agents to market my basement apartment in Hockley.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just received a quarterly service charge demand – what should I do?

The sensible thing to do is 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 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 found a house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have just found out that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Hockley. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Hockley are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Hockley so you should seriously consider looking for a Hockley conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to carry out changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will appraise you on the various issues.

I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Hockley. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

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 provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Hockley with the purpose of expediting the sale process?

  • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hockley can be reduced if you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers solicitors.
  • Many freeholders or Management Companies in Hockley levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold homes. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management information sought as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most frequent cause of delay in leasehold conveyancing in Hockley.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s approval? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Hockley leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord consenting to such alterations. If you dont have the approvals to hand do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your lawyer in the first instance.
  • A minority of Hockley leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, it would be prudent to notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers put in hand bank and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the yearly service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the buyers or their lawyers.
  • If you are supposed to have a share in the freehold, you should make sure that you have the original share document. Arranging a duplicate share certificate is often a time consuming formality and frustrates many a Hockley conveyancing deal. If a duplicate share is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this as soon as possible.

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in Hockley - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to buying

      How long is the Lease? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? How much is the ground rent and service charge?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Hockley