Leasehold Conveyancing in New Cross - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in New Cross, you will need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Halifax, RBS or NatWest be sure to choose a lawyer on their approved list. Find a New Cross conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Top Five Questions relating to New Cross leasehold conveyancing

I want to sublet my leasehold flat in New Cross. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Is permission from the freeholder required?

A small minority of properties in New Cross do contain a provision to say that subletting is only permitted with prior consent from the landlord. 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.

Due to exchange soon on a ground floor flat in New Cross. Conveyancing solicitors have said 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 New Cross should include some of the following:

  • The physical extent of the premises. This will be the flat itself but could also include a loft or cellar if applicable.
  • Setting out your rights in respect of common areas in the block.E.G., does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or hallways?
  • Do you need to have carpet in the flat or are you allowed wood flooring?
  • You must be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • 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
  • 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 details of the information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in New Cross please enquire of your conveyancer in ahead of your conveyancing in New Cross

    • Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my 2 bed flat in New Cross.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just had a yearly maintenance charge demand – Do I pay up?

    Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear 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 until 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

    I am looking at a two maisonettes in New Cross which have approximately fifty years left on the lease term. Should I regard a short lease as a deal breaker?

    There are plenty of short leases in New Cross. The lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a prescribed time frame. As a lease gets shorter the saleability of the lease reduces and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. This is why it is advisable to increase the term of the lease. Sometimes it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage companies may be unwilling to lend money on such properties. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We recommend you seek professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this field

    Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in New Cross with the aim of expediting the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in New Cross can be reduced if you get in touch lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation needed by the buyers lawyers.
    • Many freeholders or managing agents in New Cross levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold premises. 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 average time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in New Cross.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the property would they have required Landlord’s approval? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in New Cross state that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring require a licence issued by the Landlord consenting to such alterations. Should you dont have the consents in place do not communicate with the landlord without contacting your solicitor in the first instance.
  • A minority of New Cross leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this applies to your lease, it would be prudent to 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 solicitors.
  • If you are supposed to have a share in the Management Company, you should make sure that you have the original share certificate. Arranging a replacement share certificate is often a lengthy process and frustrates many a New Cross conveyancing transaction. If a duplicate share is required, you should approach the company director and secretary or managing agents (if relevant) for this at the earliest opportunity.

    • I am the registered owner of a basement flat in New Cross. In the absence of agreement between myself and the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal determine the sum payable for a lease extension?

    You certainly can. We are happy to put you in touch with a New Cross conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a New Cross residence is 41 Endwell Road in March 2013. this matter relateed to the acquisition of the freehold of a mid- terraced Victorian house converted into three separate self-contained dwellings. By an order dated 28/11/2012, Deputy District Judge Cole in the Bromley County Court held that the leaseholders were entitled to acquire the freehold and directed that the premium payable be determined by this Tribunal. The Tribunal assessed the premium to be £14,753 This case affected 3 flats. The the number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 80.01 years.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in New Cross