Huntingdon leasehold conveyancing: Q and A’s
I would like to let out my leasehold apartment in Huntingdon. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for their consent?
Some leases for properties in Huntingdon do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to review 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 permission.
There are only Sixty One years left on my lease in Huntingdon. I need to extend my lease but my landlord is absent. What are my options?
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 for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have done all that could be expected to locate the lessor. On the whole an enquiry agent may be helpful to carry out a search and prepare a report to be used as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering Huntingdon.
I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a ground floor flat in Huntingdon. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they report fully within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Huntingdon should include some of the following:
- You should be sent a copy of the lease
I've recently bought a leasehold house in Huntingdon. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to 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. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element 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 Huntingdon with the aim of saving time on the sale process?
- A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Huntingdon can be bypassed where you instruct lawyers the minute your agents start marketing the property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the purchasers’ conveyancers.
- Many landlords or managing agents in Huntingdon levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management pack sought as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Huntingdon.
Huntingdon Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries Prior to buying
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Generally speaking the cost for major works tend not to be included within service charges, albeit that there some managing agents in Huntingdon obliged leasehold owners to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for larger works.
How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments?
Who is in charge of the block?
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