Looking forward to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Huntingdon. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they will have a report out to me within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Huntingdon should include some of the following:

• The total extent of the property. This will be the property itself but might incorporate a roof space or cellar if applicable.
• Whether the lease restricts you from subletting the property, or working from home
• You need to 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
• I don't know whether the lease allows me to alter or improve anything in the flat - you should know whether it applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required
• What options are open to you if a neighbour is in violation of a provision in their lease?

I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Huntingdon. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Huntingdon ?

The majority of houses in Huntingdon are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Huntingdon so you should seriously consider looking for a Huntingdon conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the freeholder’spermission to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your solicitor should advise you fully on all the issues.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Huntingdon. Conveyancing and The Royal Bank of Scotland mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing practitioner in Huntingdon who acted for me is not around.Any advice?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of HMLR to be sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Huntingdon conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that regardless, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I am looking at a two maisonettes in Huntingdon which have in the region of 50 years remaining on the lease term. Do I need to be concerned?

A lease is a right to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As a lease gets shorter the value of the lease decreases and it becomes more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is generally wise to extend the lease term. It is often difficult to sell a property with a short lease as mortgage companies may be reluctant to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a difficult process. We advise that you get professional help from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this area

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Huntingdon conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Huntingdon conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you make enquires with several firms including non Huntingdon conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be useful:

• If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
• What volume of lease extensions has the firm conducted in Huntingdon in the last year?

Huntingdon Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

Make sure you discover if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For instance it is reasonably common in Huntingdon leases that pets are not allowed in in a block in Huntingdon. If you like the propertyin Huntingdon but your cat is not allowed to make the move with you then you will be presented with a difficult determination. Does this lease have more than 85 years left? Its a good idea to discover as much as you can about the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you are frequently at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to day to day matters such as the cleanliness of the communal areas. Ask other people what they think of their management. Finally, be sure you know the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and precisely what it includes.