Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Penge:

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Leasehold conveyancing in Penge 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 Penge and across next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Examples of recent questions relating to leasehold conveyancing in Penge

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 68 years unexpired on my flat in Penge. I am keen to get lease extension but my landlord is absent. What are my options?

On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to track down the lessor. In some cases a specialist may be useful to carry out a search and to produce an expert document which can be used as proof that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Penge.

Due to complete next month on a ground floor flat in Penge. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report next week. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • The length of the lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and informed of the importance of the 80 year mark
  • Setting out your legal entitlements in relation to the communal areas in the building.For example, does the lease permit a right of way over a path or staircase?
  • Are pets allowed in the flat?
  • 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
  • You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • Responsibility for repairing the window frames For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Penge please enquire of your lawyer in ahead of your conveyancing in Penge

    • I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Penge. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

    In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

    If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

    What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Penge conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Penge conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you make enquires with several firms including non Penge conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be helpful:

    • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Penge who can give a testimonial?

    • Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Penge from the point of view of expediting the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Penge can be reduced where you appoint lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to collate the leasehold information needed by the buyers conveyancers.
    • Many landlords or managing agents in Penge levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management pack sought 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 frequent reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Penge.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Penge state that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. Should you fail to have the approvals to hand you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your conveyancer in the first instance.
  • Some Penge leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this applies to your lease, it would be prudent to notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers obtain bank and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are 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 actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should make sure that you have the original share certificate. Arranging a duplicate share certificate can be a time consuming process and slows down many a Penge conveyancing deal. Where a reissued share is needed, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity.

    • I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can a leaseholder make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Penge conveyancing firm to represent me?

    Most definitely. We can put you in touch with a Penge conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Lease Extension case for a Penge flat is Flats 5, 9, 38 & 40 Blakewood Court Anerley Park in January 2012. the tribunal held that the premiums payable for the new lease sare: FLAT 5:- £7,130 FLAT 9:- £7,860 FLAT 38:- £15,867 FLAT 40: £14,834 This case was in relation to 4 flats.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Penge