Looking forward to complete next month on a ground floor flat in Wandsworth. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they are sending me a report within the next couple of days. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

• You should receive a copy of the lease

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have just discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Wandsworth. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Wandsworth ?

Most houses in Wandsworth are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. We note that you are buying in Wandsworth in which case you should be shopping around for a Wandsworth conveyancing solicitor and check that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as obtaining the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your solicitor should appraise you on the various issues.

I work for a busy estate agency in Wandsworth where we see a number of leasehold sales derailed due to leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have been given contradictory information from local Wandsworth conveyancing firms. Please can you confirm whether the owner of a flat can start the lease extension process for the buyer?

Provided that the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to commence the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed prior to, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.

An alternative approach is to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

What advice can you give us when it comes to appointing a Wandsworth conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Wandsworth conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with two or three firms including non Wandsworth conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be useful:

• How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?

We expect to complete our sale of a £250000 flat in Wandsworth next Thursday . The freeholder has quoted £396 for Landlord’s certificate, insurance certificate and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Wandsworth?

Wandsworth conveyancing on leasehold flats more often than not necessitates the buyer’s lawyer submitting enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to answer these enquiries most will be content to assist. They are entitled charge a reasonable charge for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average costs for the information that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some transactions it is in excess of £800. The administration charge required by the landlord must be accompanied by a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration fees, otherwise the invoice is technically not due. Reality however dictates that you have little choice but to pay whatever is demanded should you wish to sell the property.

I have given up trying to purchase the freehold in Wandsworth. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on premiums?

if there is a missing landlord or where there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the relevant legislation you can apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to arrive at the price.

An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement decision for a Wandsworth property is 4 Galveston Road in August 2012. The Tribunal determined that the price payable in respect of the purchase of the freehold was £22,650. The Tribunal remited this matter back to the Wandsworth County Court for execution of the freehold Transfer Deed. This case related to 2 flats.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Wandsworth