Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in Wimbledon

Get a Quote

Require a conveyancing quote from a solicitor for leasehold conveyancing in Wimbledon on your lender’s panel? Use our search tool to find quality local Wimbledon conveyancing practitioners or nationwide solicitors on your lender’s panel .

Common questions relating to Wimbledon leasehold conveyancing

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to be perfect, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Wimbledon. Conveyancing lawyers have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Wimbledon are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Wimbledon so you should seriously consider looking for a Wimbledon conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

Back In 2000, I bought a leasehold flat in Wimbledon. Conveyancing and National Westminster Bank mortgage are in place. A letter has just been received from someone saying they have taken over the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1996. The conveyancing solicitor in Wimbledon who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

First contact the Land Registry to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is indeed the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a Wimbledon conveyancing firm to do this as it can be done on-line for a few pound. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the legitimate freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

I am tempted by the attractive purchase price for a two apartments in Wimbledon both have approximately forty five years left on the leases. Will this present a problem?

A lease is a right to use the property for a period of time. As a lease gets shorter the value of the lease deteriorate and results in it becoming more costly 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 lenders may be unwilling to lend money on such properties. Lease extension can be a protracted process. We advise that you get professional help from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this area

Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Wimbledon from the point of view of saving time on the sale process?

  • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Wimbledon can be reduced where you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers conveyancers.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Wimbledon state that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord consenting to such alterations. If you fail to have the consents in place do not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor first.
  • If you have had conflict with your landlord or managing agents it is very important that these are settled prior to the flat being marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where a dispute is ongoing. You will have to accept that you will have to discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You are still duty bound to disclose details of the dispute to the buyers, but it is clearly preferable to present the dispute as over rather than unsettled.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should make sure that you have the original share document. Obtaining a re-issued share certificate is often a time consuming formality and delays many a Wimbledon conveyancing deal. Where a duplicate share certificate is required, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where relevant) for this as soon as possible.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to verify this via your lawyers. A purchaser's lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the lease term is under 75 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord for a lease extension without getting anywhere. Can the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal adjudicate on such issues? Can you recommend a Wimbledon conveyancing firm to act on my behalf?

    Most certainly. We can put you in touch with a Wimbledon conveyancing firm who can help.

    An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Wimbledon residence is 629 Garratt Lane in September 2014. The consideration payable for the acquisition of the freehold of the subject property was the sum £21,302.74. This represented a valuation of the freehold in the sum of £23,864 from which the sum of £2561.27 has been deducted in respect of certain costs in repairing and insuring the premises This case was in relation to 3 flats. The the number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 72.94 years.

    What are the frequently found deficiencies that you witness in leases for Wimbledon properties?

    Leasehold conveyancing in Wimbledon is not unique. All leases is drafted differently and drafting errors can sometimes mean that certain clauses are not included. For example, if your lease is missing any of the following, it could be defective:

    • A provision to repair to or maintain parts of the premises
    • A duty to insure the building
    • A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party.
    • Service charge per centages that don't add up correctly leaving a shortfall

    A defective lease can cause issues when trying to sell a property as they can affect a potential buyer’s ability to obtain a mortgage. National Westminster Bank, Virgin Money, and Nottingham Building Society all have express conveyancing instructions when it comes to what is expected in a lease. If a mortgage lender believes that the lease does not cover certain provisions they may refuse to grant the mortgage, obliging the buyer to pull out.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Wimbledon