Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Letchworth Garden City:

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Frequently asked questions relating to Letchworth Garden City leasehold conveyancing

I only have Seventy years unexpired on my flat in Letchworth Garden City. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is absent. What are my options?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have used your best endeavours to find the lessor. On the whole a specialist would be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare a report which can be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on investigating the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Letchworth Garden City.

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a leasehold property in Letchworth Garden City. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this will change in the future
  • 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
  • Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?
  • 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
  • Responsibility for repairing the window frames
  • What options are open to you if a neighbour is in violation of a provision in their lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Letchworth Garden City please ask your solicitor in ahead of your conveyancing in Letchworth Garden City

    • I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just found out that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Letchworth Garden City. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

    The majority of houses in Letchworth Garden City are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Letchworth Garden City in which case you should be looking for a Letchworth Garden City conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer will advise you fully on all the issues.

    I am attracted to a two flats in Letchworth Garden City which have in the region of forty five years remaining on the leases. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

    A lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As a lease shortens the marketability of the lease decreases and it becomes more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is advisable to extend the lease term. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease as mortgage lenders less inclined to grant a loan on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you seek professional help from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this area

    What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Letchworth Garden City conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Letchworth Garden City conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you talk with two or three firms including non Letchworth Garden City conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be helpful:

    • If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?
  • What are the charges for lease extension work?

    • I purchased a studio flat in Letchworth Garden City, conveyancing having been completed 7 years ago. Can you work out an approximate cost of a lease extension? Comparable properties in Letchworth Garden City with an extended lease are worth £261,000. The ground rent is £50 invoiced every year. The lease runs out on 21st October 2103

    With only 78 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to be between £8,600 and £9,800 as well as legals.

    The figure that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply the actual costs without more comprehensive due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be other issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information before seeking the advice of a professional.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Letchworth Garden City