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Recently asked questions relating to Elmers End leasehold conveyancing

My partner and I may need to sub-let our Elmers End garden flat temporarily due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Elmers End conveyancing practice in 2004 but they have since shut and we did not have the foresight to get any advice as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

A lease dictates the relationship between the landlord and you the leaseholder; specifically, it will say if subletting is not allowed, or permitted but only subject to certain caveats. The rule is that if the lease contains no expres ban or restriction, subletting is allowed. The majority of leases in Elmers End do not prevent strict prohibition on subletting – such a provision would undoubtedly devalue the flat. In most cases there is a basic requirement that the owner notifies the freeholder, possibly supplying a copy of the sublease.

Due to sign contracts shortly on a ground floor flat in Elmers End. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, landlord
  • The physical extent of the premises. This will be the apartment itself but may incorporate a loft or cellar if appropriate.
  • Setting out your legal entitlements in relation to common areas in the block.By way of example, does the lease include a right of way over an accessway or hallways?
  • Does the lease prohibit wood flooring?
  • Whether the lease restricts you from renting out the property, or having a home office for business
  • Repair and maintenance of the flat
  • Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your premises and do you know what it means in practice? For details of the information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Elmers End please ask your solicitor in ahead of your conveyancing in Elmers End

  • I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Elmers End. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Elmers End ?

    The majority of houses in Elmers End are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Elmers End so you should seriously consider looking for a Elmers End conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example obtaining the landlord’spermission to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.

    I am employed by a reputable estate agent office in Elmers End where we see a number of flat sales derailed as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have received conflicting advice from local Elmers End conveyancing firms. Please can you clarify whether the seller of a flat can commence the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

    Provided that the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to kick-start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to wait 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done prior to, or at the same time as completion of the disposal of the property.

    An alternative approach is to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord 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.

    What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Elmers End conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

    If you are instructing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Elmers End conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Elmers End 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 useful:

    • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • What are the costs for lease extension work?

  • Having spent months of dialogue we cannot agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Elmers End. Can we issue an application to the Residential Property Tribunal Service?

    if there is a missing freeholder or if there is dispute about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the LVT to arrive at the amount due.

    An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Elmers End flat is Flats 55, 67 & 70 Melbourne Court Anerley Road in July 2013. The tribunal calculated that the premium for the extended lease at £48,366.00 for at 55, and £88,329.00 for ats 67 and 70 combined. This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired term was 26.38 years.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Elmers End