Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Richmond. Before I set the wheels in motion I require certainty as to the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is registered - and most are in Richmond - 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 only have Fifty years remaining on my flat in Richmond. I need to get lease extension but my freeholder is missing. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you qualify, 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 lengthened by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to find the freeholder. On the whole a specialist should be useful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document to be accepted by the court as evidence that the landlord is indeed missing. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Richmond.

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a garden flat in Richmond. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they report fully next week. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

• The total extent of the property. This will be the flat itself but could also incorporate a loft or cellar if applicable.
• Whether the lease restricts you from letting out the flat, or having a home office for business
• Whether your lease has a provision for a reserve fund?
• Repair and maintenance of the flat
• Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your property and do you know what it means in practice?
• What you can do if a neighbour is in violation of a provision in their lease?

I am attracted to a two maisonettes in Richmond which have in the region of forty five years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a right to use the property for a prescribed time frame. As the lease gets shorter the value of the lease reduces and it becomes more expensive to extend the lease. For this reason it is often a good idea to increase the term of the lease. More often than not it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage companies may be reluctant to lend money on properties of this type. Lease enfranchisement can be a difficult process. We advise that you get professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this field

What are your top tips when it comes to finding a Richmond conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Richmond conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Richmond conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be helpful:

• How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?
• Can they put you in touch with client in Richmond who can give a testimonial?

Richmond Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying

The prefered form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this situation the tenants have control and even though a managing agent is usually employed where the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders.