Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in Crook Log

Get a Quote

While any conveyancing practice can theoretically deal with your leasehold conveyancing in Crook Log, your mortgage provider may not be willing to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Frequently asked questions relating to Crook Log leasehold conveyancing

Helen (my wife) and I may need to sub-let our Crook Log 1st floor flat temporarily due to a career opportunity. We used a Crook Log conveyancing firm in 2001 but they have closed and we did not think at the time seek any guidance as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

Notwithstanding that your last Crook Log conveyancing lawyer is not around you can check your lease to see if you are permitted to let out the premises. The accepted inference is that if the deeds are non-specific, subletting is allowed. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you are obliged to obtain permission via your landlord or some other party in advance of subletting. This means you not allowed to sublet in the absence of prior consent. The consent should not be unreasonably turned down. If the lease prohibits you from subletting the property you will need to ask your landlord for their consent.

Expecting to complete next month on a ground floor flat in Crook Log. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they report fully on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • The physical extent of the demise. This will be the apartment itself but might incorporate a loft or basement if applicable.
  • Are pets allowed in the flat?
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this will change in the future
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • 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 rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide. For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Crook Log please ask your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Crook Log

    • I have just appointed agents to market my garden apartment in Crook Log.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a yearly maintenance charge demand – Do I pay up?

    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.

    I've recently bought a leasehold property in Crook Log. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

    Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

    If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

    What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Crook Log conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Crook Log conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non Crook Log conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

    • How experienced is the practice with lease extension legislation?
  • What volume of lease extensions has the firm conducted in Crook Log in the last twenty four months?

    • I am the registered owner of a ground-floor 1950’s flat in Crook Log. In the absence of agreement between myself and the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum due for a lease extension?

    Absolutely. We are happy to put you in touch with a Crook Log conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Crook Log property is Various @ Colombus Square in January 2012. the Tribunal calculated the premiums to be paid for new leases for each of the flats in Mariners Walk to be £3822 and the premium to be paid for the new lease of 2 Knights Court to be £4439. This case related to 13 flats. The the unexpired term as at the valuation date was 76 years.