Recently asked questions relating to Biggin Hill leasehold conveyancing
I want to let out my leasehold flat in Biggin Hill. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Is permission from the freeholder required?
A lease dictates the relationship between the freeholder and you the flat owner; in particular, it will set out if subletting is prohibited, or permitted but only subject to certain conditions. The rule is that if the lease contains no expres ban or restriction, subletting is permitted. The majority of leases in Biggin Hill do not prevent subletting altogether – such a provision would adversely affect the market value the flat. Instead, there is usually simply a requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly sending a duplicate of the sublease.
There are only Seventy years left on my lease in Biggin Hill. I need to get lease extension but my freeholder is absent. What options are available to me?
On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, 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 mean that your lease can be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have used your best endeavours to find the freeholder. For most situations a specialist would be helpful to conduct investigations and prepare an expert document to be used as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Biggin Hill.
Expecting to complete next month on a garden flat in Biggin Hill. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report next week. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?
The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Biggin Hill should include some of the following:
- Defining your rights in respect of the communal areas in the building.By way of example, does the lease provide for a right of way over an accessway or hallways?
I have just appointed agents to market my ground floor apartment in Biggin Hill.Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon but I have just had a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?
It best that you clear the service charge 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 unless 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. This will smooth the conveyancing process.
Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Biggin Hill from the perspective of speeding up the sale process?
- A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Biggin Hill can be reduced if you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers lawyers.
- If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s permission? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Biggin Hill state that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. Should you dont have the consents in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your lawyer before hand.
I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without getting anywhere. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal decide on such matters? Can you recommend a Biggin Hill conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?
Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Biggin Hill conveyancing firm who can help.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a Biggin Hill premises is 1 Southlands Court Southlands Road in September 2013. The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal determined that the premium to be paid by the tenant on the grant of a new lease, in accordance with section 56 and Schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 was £30,541 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The the number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 50.57 years.
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