Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Lifton:

Get a Quote

Leasehold conveyancing in Lifton 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 Lifton and throughout next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Recently asked questions relating to Lifton leasehold conveyancing

I am hoping to complete next month on a garden flat in Lifton. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they are sending me a report 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 Lifton should include some of the following:

  • Does the lease prohibit wood flooring?
  • Does the lease prevent you from subletting the flat, or having a home office for business
  • 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 your lease has a provision for a sinking fund?
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Lifton please enquire of your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Lifton

    • I have just appointed agents to market my garden flat in Lifton.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just received a quarterly service charge demand – what should I do?

    Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear 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 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 am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a great figure which is making it more attractive. I have since been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Lifton. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Lifton ?

    Most houses in Lifton are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Lifton so you should seriously consider looking for a Lifton conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer will advise you fully on all the issues.

    Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Lifton from the point of view of speeding up the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Lifton can be avoided if you appoint lawyers as soon as your agents start marketing the property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers conveyancers.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s permission? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Lifton state that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such works. If you fail to have the paperwork in place do not communicate with the landlord without contacting your conveyancer first.
  • If there is a history of conflict with your landlord or managing agents it is essential that these are settled prior to the flat being marketed. The buyers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where there is an ongoing dispute. You may have to bite the bullet and discharge any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You are still duty bound to disclose details of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as over as opposed to ongoing.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should make sure that you are holding the original share document. Arranging a new share certificate can be a time consuming process and delays many a Lifton conveyancing deal. If a reissued share is necessary, you should approach the company officers or managing agents (if applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but you should verify this by asking your solicitors. A buyer’s lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to where the lease term is under 80 years. It is therefore important at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale.

    • Are there frequently found problems that you come across in leases for Lifton properties?

    Leasehold conveyancing in Lifton is not unique. Most leases are unique and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain clauses are not included. For example, if your lease is missing any of the following, it could be defective:

    • A provision to repair to or maintain parts of the building
    • A duty to insure the building
    • A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party.
    • Service charge per centages that don't add up correctly leaving a shortfall

    A defective lease can cause issues when trying to sell a property primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. Halifax, Virgin Money, and Godiva Mortgages Ltd all have express requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. If a mortgage lender believes that the lease does not cover certain provisions they may refuse to provide security, obliging the buyer to pull out.

    Leasehold Conveyancing in Lifton - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

      Is anyone aware of any major works in the near future that could increase the service costs? Plenty Lifton leasehold flats will have a service bill for the upkeep of the building set by the landlord. If you buy the flat you will have to pay this liability, normally periodically accross the year. This may differ from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for buildings with lifts and large common grounds. There will also be a rentcharge for you to pay annual, normally this is not a significant sum, say around £50-£100 but you should to check as sometimes it could be many hundreds of pounds. Be sure to investigate if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. By way of example some leases prohibit pets being allowed in certain buildings in Lifton. If you like the propertyin Lifton however your dog is not allowed to make the move with you then you have a very hard decision.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Lifton