I have just appointed agents to market my ground floor flat in Walworth.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just had a yearly service charge demand – what should I do?

It best that you clear the service charge 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 management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until 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.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Walworth. Conveyancing advisers have are soon to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Walworth ?

Most houses in Walworth are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Walworth so you should seriously consider looking for a Walworth conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority 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 will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your conveyancer should report to you on the legal implications.

Back In 2000, I bought a leasehold house in Walworth. Conveyancing and Nottingham Building Society mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1995. The conveyancing practitioner in Walworth who acted for me is not around.Any advice?

The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to be sure that this person is indeed the new freeholder. There is no need to instruct a Walworth conveyancing firm 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 freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I am looking at a two apartments in Walworth both have in the region of fifty years unexpired on the leases. Will this present a problem?

There are plenty of short leases in Walworth. The lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As the lease gets shorter the saleability of the lease decreases and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is advisable to increase the term of the lease. More often than not it is difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage lenders may be unwilling to lend money on such properties. Lease enfranchisement can be a protracted process. We recommend you get professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena

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

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Walworth conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Walworth conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be helpful:

• Can they put you in touch with client in Walworth who can give a testimonial?
• What are the charges for lease extension work?

I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord for a lease extension without success. Can one make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a Walworth conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

Where there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about the premium for a lease extension, under the relevant statutes it is possible to make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to calculate the sum to be paid.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Walworth property is 28 Valmar Road in June 2013. this was a case with an absentee freeholder. As a result the leaseholders applied to the Lambeth County Court for an order dispensing with the giving of a notice of claim. On 25 April 2013 District Judge Zimmels made a vesting order and directed that the matter should be transferred to this tribunal to determine the premium. The tribunal concluded on a fi
gure of £1,125 This case related to 3 flats. The the number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 968 years.

Walworth Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask before buying

What restrictions exist in the Walworth Lease? Its a good idea to find out as much as possible concerning the managing agents as they will either make living at the property much simpler or uncomfortable. Being a leasehold owner you will be in the clutches of the managing agents from a financial perspective and when it comes to practical issues like the tidiness of the common parts. You should not be shy to ask other people if they are happy with them. In conclusion, be sure you understand the dates that you are obliged pay the maintenance charge to the managing agents and precisely how they are spending the funds. Can you tell me if there are any major works anticipated that will likely add a premium to the service charges?