Guaranteed fixed fees for Leasehold Conveyancing in Erith

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

Common questions relating to Erith leasehold conveyancing

I would like to rent out my leasehold apartment in Erith. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Is permission from the freeholder required?

A small minority of properties in Erith do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to review references. Experience dictates 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 consent.

Expecting to sign contracts shortly on a studio apartment in Erith. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Erith should include some of the following:

  • How long the lease is You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and informed of the importance of the 80 year mark
  • The physical extent of the demise. This will be the apartment itself but might include a loft or basement if applicable.
  • 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
  • You need to be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a sinking fund?
  • Responsibility for repairing the window frames For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Erith please ask your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Erith

    • I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have just discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Erith. Conveyancing advisers have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Erith ?

    Most houses in Erith are freehold and not leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Erith so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Erith conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’spermission to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.

    I own a leasehold flat in Erith. Conveyancing and TSB mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Erith who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

    First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a Erith conveyancing lawyer to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

    Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Erith from the perspective of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Erith can be bypassed where you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers lawyers.
    • The majority freeholders or Management Companies in Erith levy fees for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the actual amount of the charges. The management pack can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common cause of frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Erith.
  • A minority of Erith leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers put in hand bank and professional references. Any bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the annual service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the buyers or their solicitors.
  • If you have had any disputes with your landlord or managing agents it is essential that these are resolved before the property is marketed. The buyers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where there is an ongoing dispute. You may need to swallow your pride and pay any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled prior to the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the buyers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as over rather than ongoing.
  • If you are supposed to have a share in the Management Company, you should ensure that you are holding the original share document. Arranging a new share certificate is often a time consuming formality and delays many a Erith home move. If a new share is needed, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (if applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity.

    • I have had difficulty in negotiating a lease extension in Erith. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

    if there is a missing freeholder or where 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 determine the price payable.

    An example of a Lease Extension case for a Erith premises 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 affected 13 flats. The unexpired term was 76 years.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Erith