Questions and Answers: Linslade leasehold conveyancing
I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Linslade. Before I get started I would like to find out the remaining lease term.
Assuming the lease is registered - and 99.9% are in Linslade - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title.For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.
Due to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Linslade. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Linslade should include some of the following:
- You should receive a copy of the lease
Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold flat in Linslade. Conveyancing and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing solicitor in Linslade who acted for me is not around.Any advice?
The first thing you should do is contact the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to instruct a Linslade conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
Last month I purchased a leasehold house in Linslade. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?
In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part 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 offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Linslade conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?
If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Linslade conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you speak with two or three firms including non Linslade conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be useful:
- What volume of lease extensions have they completed in Linslade in the last 12 months?
Leasehold Conveyancing in Linslade - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying
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Who manages the building?
You should want to discover as much as you can concerning the company managing the block as they will affect your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you are often at the mercy of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to practical matters such as the cleanliness of the common parts. You should not be shy to ask prospective neighbours what they think of their service. On a final note, be sure you discover the dates that the maintenance fees are due to the managing agents and specifically what it includes.
It would be sensible to find out if there are any onerous restrictions in the lease. For instance it is very common in Linslade leases that pets are not permitted in certain buildings in Linslade. If you like the apartmentin Linslade yet your cat is not allowed to live with you then you will be presented with a difficult determination.
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