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Leasehold conveyancing in Leiston is more complex than freehold. Your home move will be smoother where you choose a lawyer with a wealth of experience of leasehold conveyancing in Leiston and throughout next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Questions and Answers: Leiston leasehold conveyancing

My fiance and I may need to let out our Leiston basement flat for a while due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Leiston conveyancing practice in 2002 but they have closed and we did not think at the time get any advice as to whether the lease permits subletting. How do we find out?

Your lease governs the relationship between the freeholder and you the flat owner; specifically, it will say if subletting is prohibited, or permitted but only subject to certain conditions. The accepted inference is that if the lease contains no specific ban or restriction, subletting is permitted. The majority of leases in Leiston do not prevent an absolute prevention of subletting – such a clause would undoubtedly devalue the flat. In most cases there is simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly sending a copy of the tenancy agreement.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 72 years unexpired on my flat in Leiston. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is absent. What options are available to me?

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 enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have made all reasonable attempts to locate the freeholder. In some cases a specialist may be useful to try and locate and prepare a report which can be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor both on investigating the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Leiston.

Due to complete next month on a studio apartment in Leiston. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • You should be sent a copy of the lease
  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • The physical extent of the demise. This will be the apartment itself but may include a roof space or basement if appropriate.
  • Are pets allowed in the flat?
  • Does the lease prevent you from renting out the property, or working from home
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a sinking fund?
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Leiston please ask your lawyer in advance of your conveyancing in Leiston

    • I have just appointed agents to market my basement flat in Leiston.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a quarterly service charge invoice – 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 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

    What advice can you give us when it comes to finding a Leiston conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    If you are instructing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Leiston conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Leiston conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be helpful:

    • What volume of lease extensions has the firm conducted in Leiston in the last twenty four months?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Leiston who can give a testimonial?

    • Leiston Leasehold Conveyancing - A selection of Questions you should consider before buying

      How many years remain on the lease? Please inform me if there are any major works anticipated that will likely add a premium to the maintenance costs? The prefered form of lease arrangement is if the freehold title is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this situation the lessees enjoy control and although a managing agent is frequently retained where it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Leiston