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

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Totteridge, you will need to appoint a conveyancing lawyer with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Halifax, Birmingham Midshires or Bradford & Bingley make sure you choose a lawyer on their approved list. Find a Totteridge conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Sample questions relating to Totteridge leasehold conveyancing

I am hoping to exchange soon on a ground floor flat in Totteridge. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report next week. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Totteridge should include some of the following:

  • The physical extent of the premises. This will be the property itself but could also incorporate a loft or basement if appropriate.
  • Does the lease require carpeting throughout thus preventing wood flooring?
  • Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat?
  • Whether the lease restricts you from subletting the property, or working from home
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a reserve fund?
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Totteridge please ask your solicitor in ahead of your conveyancing in Totteridge

    • I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it more attractive. I have since found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Totteridge. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been instructed. Will they explain the issues?

    Most houses in Totteridge are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Totteridge so you should seriously consider looking for a Totteridge conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the freeholder’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

    Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold house in Totteridge. Conveyancing and Nottingham Building Society mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing solicitor in Totteridge who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

    The first thing you should do is contact the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Totteridge conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

    Last month I purchased a leasehold house in Totteridge. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before 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. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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).

    Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Totteridge from the perspective of speeding up the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Totteridge can be reduced if you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers lawyers.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Totteridge leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring require a licence issued by the Landlord consenting to such works. Should you fail to have the approvals to hand do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your conveyancer first.
  • A minority of Totteridge leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this applies to your lease, it would be prudent to notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers put in hand bank and professional references. Any bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is financially capable of paying 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 purchasers or their lawyers.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the freehold, you should ensure that you hold the original share certificate. Obtaining a re-issued share certificate is often a lengthy process and delays many a Totteridge home move. Where a new share is required, you should approach the company officers or managing agents (where applicable) for this sooner rather than later.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check by asking your conveyancers. A buyer’s lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the remaining number of years is under 75 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an early stage that you consider whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • Despite our best efforts, we have been unsuccessful in trying to purchase the freehold in Totteridge. Can this matter be resolved via the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal?

    if there is a missing landlord or where there is dispute about the premium for a lease extension, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the LVT to make a decision on the price.

    An example of a Lease Extension case for a Totteridge residence is Flat 2 2 Netherfield Road in April 2010. The Tribunale held that premium payable for a 90 year extension to the existing Lease should be £7,705. This case affected 1 flat. The remaining number of years on the lease was 76 years.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Totteridge