I have recently realised that I have 62 years unexpired on my lease in Little Bromwich. I need to get lease extension but my landlord is absent. What options are available to me?

If you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the Court. You will be obliged to prove that you have made all reasonable attempts to locate the landlord. For most situations a specialist would be useful to try and locate and to produce an expert document to be accepted by the court as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Little Bromwich.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a house with a leasehold title in Little Bromwich. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Little Bromwich ?

The majority of houses in Little Bromwich are freehold rather than 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 clear that you are buying in Little Bromwich so you should seriously consider looking for a Little Bromwich conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

Back In 2002, I bought a leasehold house in Little Bromwich. Conveyancing and HSBC Bank mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in Little Bromwich who previously acted has now retired.Do I pay?

First contact the Land Registry to be sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Little Bromwich conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a couple of flats in Little Bromwich which have about 50 years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a period of time. As a lease shortens the marketability of the lease deteriorate and it becomes more expensive to acquire a lease extension. This is why it is often a good idea to increase the term of the lease. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease as mortgage companies less inclined to grant a loan on such properties. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We advise that you seek professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena

What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Little Bromwich conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Little Bromwich conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Little Bromwich conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be of use:

• How many lease extensions has the firm conducted in Little Bromwich in the last twenty four months?

Little Bromwich Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

How is the lease structured? You should want to find out as much as you can concerning the managing agents as they can either make your living at the property much simpler or uncomfortable. Being a leasehold owner you are often at the mercy of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to day to day issues like the cleanliness of the communal areas. You should not be shy to ask prospective neighbours what they think of their management. Finally, investigate as to the dates that the maintenance charges are due to the relevant party and precisely how they are spending the funds. Who is in charge of the building?

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Lease Extensions in Little Bromwich