Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Old Oak Common. Before diving in I would like to find out the unexpired term of the lease.

If the lease is registered - and most are in Old Oak Common - 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.

My partner and I may need to let out our Old Oak Common garden flat temporarily due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Old Oak Common conveyancing firm in 2003 but they have closed and we did not think at the time get any guidance as to whether the lease permits subletting. How do we find out?

Even though your last Old Oak Common conveyancing solicitor is not around you can check your lease to see if you are permitted to let out the apartment. The accepted inference is that if the deeds are non-specific, subletting is allowed. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you are obliged to obtain consent from your landlord or some other party before subletting. The net result is that you cannot sublet without prior permission. Such consent must not not be unreasonably refused ore delayed. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you should ask your landlord for their consent.

I only have Fifty years unexpired on my lease in Old Oak Common. I need to extend my lease but my freeholder is absent. What are my options?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. You will be obliged to prove that you have done all that could be expected to find the lessor. On the whole an enquiry agent would be useful to carry out a search and to produce an expert document which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to proving the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court covering Old Oak Common.

I have just appointed agents to market my basement apartment in Old Oak Common.Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon but I have just received a quarterly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

It best that you clear the invoice 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 unless 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.

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Old Oak Common conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Old Oak Common conveyancing practice) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Old Oak Common conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

• How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?
• How many lease extensions have they conducted in Old Oak Common in the last 12 months?

I have had difficulty in trying to purchase the freehold in Old Oak Common. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a Old Oak Common conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Old Oak Common flat is 49 Long Drive in March 2014. The tribunal concluded that the price payable for the freehold interest in the Property should be £26,491 divided as to £12,546 in respect of the ground floor flat and £13,945 in respect of the
first floor flat This case was in relation to 2 flats. The remaining number of years on the lease was 68.47 years.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Old Oak Common - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

How much is the annual service fee and ground rent? How long is the Lease?