Questions and Answers: Llandaff North leasehold conveyancing
Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 62 years left on my lease in Llandaff North. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is can not be found. What options are available to me?
On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order 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 done all that could be expected to find the landlord. On the whole a specialist should be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare a report to be used as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Llandaff North.
I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Llandaff North. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Llandaff North ?
Most houses in Llandaff North are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Llandaff North so you should seriously consider looking for a Llandaff North conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’sconsent to carry out 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 conveyancer will appraise you on the various issues.
Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold flat in Llandaff North. Conveyancing and Leeds Building Society mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in Llandaff North who acted for me is not around.What should I do?
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 instruct a Llandaff North conveyancing solicitor to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.
I am a negotiator for a reputable estate agency in Llandaff North where we have experienced a number of leasehold sales put at risk as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given conflicting advice from local Llandaff North conveyancing solicitors. Could you shed some light as to whether the owner of a flat can initiate the lease extension process for the buyer?
As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer can avoid having to wait 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed prior to, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.
An alternative approach is to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.
Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Llandaff North with the purpose of speeding up the sale process?
- A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Llandaff North can be avoided if you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers solicitors.
- If you have carried out any alterations to the residence would they have required Landlord’s consent? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Llandaff North state that internal structural alterations or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. Should you fail to have the approvals in place you should not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor before hand.
Leasehold Conveyancing in Llandaff North - Sample of Queries before buying
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This information is useful as a) areas may cause problems for the block as the communal areas may start to deteriorate where services are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have a dispute with the running of the building you will wish to have all the details
Make sure you discover if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For example plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in certain buildings in Llandaff North. If you love the apartmentin Llandaff North however your dog can’t move with you then you will be presented with a hard determination.
It is important to be aware whether fixing the lift or some other significant cost is coming up to be shared by the leaseholders and will materially increase the the maintenance charges or necessitate a specific payment.
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