Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Howden:

Get a Quote

When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Howden, you will need to chose a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Lloyds, RBS or Nationwide make sure you choose a lawyer on their panel. Feel free to use our search tool

Top Five Questions relating to Howden leasehold conveyancing

Jane (my partner) and I may need to rent out our Howden garden flat for a while due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Howden conveyancing firm in 2002 but they have closed and we did not have the foresight to get any guidance as to whether the lease permits subletting. How do we find out?

Some leases for properties in Howden do contain a provision to say that subletting is only permitted with prior consent from the landlord. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests 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 consent.

Planning to complete next month on a garden flat in Howden. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they will have a report out to me tomorrow. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

  • The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and informed of the importance of the 80 year mark
  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • Setting out your legal entitlements in respect of the communal areas in the building.By way of example, does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or hallways?
  • Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring?
  • You should be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions) For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Howden please ask your conveyancer in ahead of your conveyancing in Howden

    • Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my garden flat in Howden.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just received a quarterly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?

    The sensible thing to do is discharge 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 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 Howden conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

    If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Howden conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you make enquires with several firms including non Howden conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be of use:

    • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Howden who can give a testimonial?

    • Are there common defects that you come across in leases for Howden properties?

    Leasehold conveyancing in Howden is not unique. Most leases is drafted differently and legal mistakes in the legal wording can result in certain clauses are erroneous. For example, if your lease is missing any of the following, it could be defective:

    • A provision to repair to or maintain elements of the premises
    • A duty to insure the building
    • Clauses dealing with recovering service charges for expenditure on the building or common parts.
    • Service charge per centages that don't add up correctly leaving a shortfall

    A defective lease will likely cause issues when trying to sell a property primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. Barclays , Leeds Building Society, and Platform Home Loans Ltd all have very detailed requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. If a mortgage lender believes that the lease does not cover certain provisions they may refuse to provide security, forcing the buyer to withdraw.

    Leasehold Conveyancing in Howden - Examples of Questions you should ask before buying

      How much is the annual service fee and ground rent? How is the lease structured? Who takes responsibility for maintaining and repairing the building?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Howden