Guaranteed fixed fees for Leasehold Conveyancing in Nine Elms

Get a Quote

Leasehold conveyancing in Nine Elms is more complex than freehold. Your home move will be smoother where you choose a lawyer with a wealth of experience of leasehold conveyancing in Nine Elms and next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Sample questions relating to Nine Elms leasehold conveyancing

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Nine Elms. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.

If the lease is registered - and almost all are in Nine Elms - 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've found a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have since discovered that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns buying a leasehold house in Nine Elms. Conveyancing advisers have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Nine Elms are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are buying in Nine Elms in which case you should be shopping around for a Nine Elms conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.

I am employed by a busy estate agency in Nine Elms where we see a number of flat sales derailed as a result of short leases. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Nine Elms conveyancing firms. Can you confirm whether the seller of a flat can instigate 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 start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done before, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.

Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder 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.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Nine Elms conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a conveyancer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Nine Elms conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Nine Elms conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be of use:

  • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?
  • What are the legal fees for lease extension work?

    • Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Nine Elms with the purpose of expediting the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Nine Elms can be avoided where you get in touch lawyers the minute your agents start marketing the property and ask them to collate the leasehold information needed by the buyers solicitors.
    • The majority freeholders or managing agents in Nine Elms charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold homes. 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 common reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Nine Elms.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Nine Elms leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such works. Where you dont have the paperwork in place do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your lawyer before hand.
  • A minority of Nine Elms 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 put in hand bank and professional references. The bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is 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 service charge figures so that they can pass this information on to the buyers or their solicitors.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be advisable double-check via your solicitors. A buyer’s lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to where the remaining number of years is below 80 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without success. Can a leaseholder make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Nine Elms conveyancing firm to represent me?

    Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a Nine Elms conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Lease Extension case for a Nine Elms premises is 150A Albert Palace Mansions Lurline Gardens in July 2013. The Tribunal determined that the premium payable for the new lease of the subject property was £42,069 This case related to 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 57.06 years.