Guaranteed fixed fees for Leasehold Conveyancing in Brentford

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Brentford, you will need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Santander, Yorkshire Building Society or NatWest be sure to find a lawyer on their panel. Find a Brentford conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Top Five Questions relating to Brentford leasehold conveyancing

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only Sixty One years unexpired on my lease in Brentford. I am keen to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What options are available to me?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, 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 mean that your lease can be lengthened by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to find the freeholder. In some cases a specialist may be useful to carry out a search and prepare a report which can be used as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a solicitor both on proving the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Brentford.

Due to sign contracts shortly on a studio apartment in Brentford. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they will have a report out to me next week. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Brentford should include some of the following:

  • The total extent of the demise. This will be the property itself but could also incorporate a roof space or basement if appropriate.
  • Will you be prohibited or prevented from having pets in the property?
  • Does the lease prevent you from renting out the flat, or working from home
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this is subject to change
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • I don't know whether the lease allows me to alter or improve anything in the flat - you should know whether it applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Brentford please ask your lawyer in advance of your conveyancing in Brentford

    • I have just started marketing my ground floor apartment in Brentford.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just received a yearly service charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

    It best that you discharge 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.

    What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Brentford conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Brentford conveyancing firm) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you talk with two or three firms including non Brentford conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be helpful:

    • Can they put you in touch with client in Brentford who can give a testimonial?
  • What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Our conveyancer has advised that he intends to complete and exchange simultaneously on the sale of our £275000 apartment in Brentford next Tuesday . The freeholder has quoted £300 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge exorbitant fees for a leasehold conveyance in Brentford?

    Brentford conveyancing on leasehold flats more often than not requires the purchaser’s conveyancer submitting enquiries for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to answer these enquiries most will be content to do so. They are at liberty charge a reasonable charge for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is £350, in some situations it is in excess of £800. The administration charge levied by the landlord must be accompanied by a summary of entitlements and obligations in relation to administration charges, otherwise the charge is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that one has little choice but to pay whatever is demanded should you wish to sell the property.

    I am the registered owner of a garden flat in Brentford. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the amount payable for a lease extension?

    You certainly can. We are happy to put you in touch with a Brentford conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Brentford property is 105 & 105A Seaford Road in July 2013. The tribunal determined that the price payable for the freehold interest in the Property was £43,985 . This sum was to be paid into Brentford County Court to enable the matter to proceed This case was in relation to 2 flats.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Brentford