Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Golders Green:

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Golders Green leasehold conveyancing: Q and A’s

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Golders Green. Before diving in I want to be sure as to the unexpired term of the lease.

Assuming the lease is registered - and 99.9% are in Golders Green - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details 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.

I am intending to let out my leasehold flat in Golders Green. 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 Golders Green do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to review 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 consent.

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a leasehold property in Golders Green. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they will have a report out to me within the next couple of days. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • You should be sent a copy of the lease
  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • Does the lease prevent you from subletting the property, or having a home office for business
  • You must be told what counts as a Nuisance in the lease
  • 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
  • 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 Golders Green please enquire of your conveyancer in ahead of your conveyancing in Golders Green

  • What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Golders Green conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Golders Green conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with two or three firms including non Golders Green conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be useful:

    • How experienced is the practice with lease extension legislation?
  • What are the costs for lease extension conveyancing?

  • 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 avoided where you get in touch lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the purchasers’ solicitors.
    • The majority freeholders or managing agents in Golders Green charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the fee that they propose to charge. The management pack can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Golders Green.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the property would they have required Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Golders Green leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring require a licence from the Landlord consenting to such changes. Should you fail to have the consents to hand do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your lawyer before hand.
  • Some Golders Green leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain bank and professional references. Any bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the yearly 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 have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should ensure that you have the original share document. Organising a new share certificate can be a lengthy process and delays many a Golders Green conveyancing deal. If a new share certificate is needed, you should approach the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this at the earliest opportunity.

  • After years of negotiations we simply can't agree with our landlord on how much the lease extension should cost for our flat in Golders Green. Can we issue an application to the Residential Property Tribunal Service?

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

    An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Golders Green flat 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 was in relation to 1 flat.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Golders Green