I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Brunswick Park. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and 99.9% are in Brunswick Park - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars 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.

My husband and I may need to sub-let our Brunswick Park basement flat for a while due to a new job. We instructed a Brunswick Park conveyancing firm in 2002 but they have since shut and we did not think at the time get any advice as to whether the lease allows us to sublet. How do we find out?

Some leases for properties in Brunswick Park do contain a provision to say that subletting is only permitted with prior consent from the landlord. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting permission.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 72 years left on my lease in Brunswick Park. I am keen 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 for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to locate the landlord. In some cases an enquiry agent should be useful to carry out a search and to produce an expert document to be used as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a conveyancer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Brunswick Park.

Back In 2009, I bought a leasehold house in Brunswick Park. Conveyancing and The Royal Bank of Scotland mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1991. The conveyancing solicitor in Brunswick Park who acted for me is not around.What should I do?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to instruct a Brunswick Park conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Brunswick Park conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Brunswick Park conveyancing firm) it is most important that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you talk with several firms including non Brunswick Park conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be useful:

• How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation?
• If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?

I inherited a first flat in Brunswick Park. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum due for the purchase of the freehold?

Most definitely. We can put you in touch with a Brunswick Park conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Brunswick Park property is 23 Beaconsfield Road in July 2013. The Tribunals decided that the amount payable was £31,203 for the freehold. This case related to 2 flats. The the unexpired term as at the valuation date was 70.31 years.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Brunswick Park - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

Is anyone aware of any major works anticipated that could add a premium to the service charges? Plenty Brunswick Park leasehold flats will incur a service charge for maintenance of the block invoiced on behalf of the freeholder. If you buy the property you will have to meet this charge, usually in instalments during the year. This could be anything from several hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large communal areas. In all probability there will be a ground rent to be met yearly, this is usually not a significant sum, say about £25-£75 but you should to enquire as sometimes it could be many hundreds of pounds. It would be wise to find out as much as possible about the managing agents as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the proprietor of a leasehold property you are often in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to daily issues like the cleanliness of the common parts. Enquire of other tenants if they are happy with their service. In conclusion, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the appropriate party and specifically what you get for your money.