Due to sign contracts shortly on a ground floor flat in Kirkby Stephen. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they will have a report out to me on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

• You should receive a copy of the lease

How long the lease is You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and informed of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years

Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder

You must be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease

You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions

Repair and maintenance of the flat

Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your premises and do you know what it means in practice? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Kirkby Stephen please ask your lawyer in ahead of your conveyancing in Kirkby Stephen

I have just started marketing my 2 bed flat in Kirkby Stephen.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just received a yearly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

The sensible thing to do is clear 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 until 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 seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Kirkby Stephen. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Kirkby Stephen are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Kirkby Stephen so you should seriously consider looking for a Kirkby Stephen conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Kirkby Stephen conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Kirkby Stephen conveyancing practice) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you speak with two or three firms including non Kirkby Stephen conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be of use:

• Can they put you in touch with client in Kirkby Stephen who can give a testimonial?

What are the legal fees for lease extension conveyancing?

If all goes to plan we aim to complete the sale of our £125000 flat in Kirkby Stephen next Friday . The management company has quoted £300 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and 3 years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Kirkby Stephen?

Kirkby Stephen conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes usually necessitates fees being levied by landlords agents :

• Completing pre-exchange questions
• Where consent is required before sale in Kirkby Stephen
• Supplying insurance information
• Deeds of covenant upon sale
• Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your solicitor will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Kirkby Stephen leasehold premises is £350. For Kirkby Stephen conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are required to provide the information.

I own a 1st floor flat in Kirkby Stephen, conveyancing formalities finalised 2002. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Similar properties in Kirkby Stephen with over 90 years remaining are worth £187,000. The average or mid-range amount of ground rent is £65 invoiced annually. The lease ends on 21st October 2090

With just 67 years remaining on your lease the likely cost is going to be between £12,400 and £14,200 plus professional fees.

The figure above a general guide to costs for extending a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure without more comprehensive investigations. Do not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There may be additional issues that need to be considered and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you take any other action placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Kirkby Stephen