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Any conveyancing practice can theoretically handle your leasehold conveyancing in Golders Green, your mortgage provider may unwilling to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Frequently asked questions relating to Golders Green leasehold conveyancing

I am hoping to complete next month on a studio apartment in Golders Green. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they will have a report out to me next week. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and aware of the importance of the 80 year mark
  • The physical extent of the property. This will be the flat itself but might incorporate a loft or basement if appropriate.
  • Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring?
  • You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions
  • Repair and maintenance of the flat
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • What you can do if a neighbour breach a clause of their lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Golders Green please ask your conveyancer in ahead of your conveyancing in Golders Green

    • I've found a house that appears to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Golders Green. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

    The majority of houses in Golders Green 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 Golders Green in which case you should be shopping around for a Golders Green conveyancing practitioner and check that they have experience in dealing with 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’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.

    What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Golders Green conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

    When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Golders Green conveyancing firm) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with several firms including non Golders Green conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be useful:

    • How experienced is the practice with lease extension legislation?
  • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

    • Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Golders Green with the aim of saving time on the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Golders Green can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers the minute your agents start marketing the property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers representatives.
    • If you have carried out any alterations to the residence would they have required Landlord’s permission? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Golders Green state that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord approving such alterations. Should you fail to have the consents in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your lawyer before hand.
  • A minority of Golders Green leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, you should notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are financially capable of paying 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 lawyers.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should ensure that you are holding the original share document. Organising a replacement share certificate can be a lengthy formality and frustrates many a Golders Green home move. If a duplicate share certificate is required, you should approach the company director and secretary or managing agents (if relevant) for this at the earliest opportunity.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be advisable double-check by asking your lawyers. A purchaser's conveyancer will be unlikely to recommend their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the lease term is below 75 years. In the circumstances it is important at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • We expect to complete the disposal of our £250000 apartment in Golders Green in 10 days. The landlords agents has quoted £348 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and previous years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge an administration fee for a flat conveyance in Golders Green?

    Golders Green conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes normally requires the purchaser’s solicitor sending questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to answer such questions the majority will be willing to do so. They are entitled levy a reasonable administration fee for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is in excess of £800. The management information fee required by the landlord must be accompanied by a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration fees, without which the charge is technically not due. In reality one has no choice but to pay whatever is demanded if you want to exchange contracts with the buyer.

    I am the leaseholder of a garden flat in Golders Green. In the absence of agreement between myself and the freeholder, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the sum payable for the purchase of the freehold?

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

    An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Golders Green residence is Flat A 372 Cricklewood Lane in January 2013. The Tribunal decided that the premium for the extended lease should be £5,750.00 and that the terms of the new lease should be those set out in annex to the decsion This case related to 1 flat.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Golders Green