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

Get a Quote

When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Loughton, you will need to chose a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Clydesdale , RBS or Bradford & Bingley make sure you find a lawyer on their panel. Feel free to use our search tool

Loughton leasehold conveyancing Example Support Desk Enquiries

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a garden flat in Loughton. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they will have a report out to me within the next couple of days. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • The physical extent of the premises. This will be the apartment itself but may include a loft or cellar if applicable.
  • Setting out your legal entitlements in respect of common areas in the building.By way of example, does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or staircase?
  • Does the lease prohibit wood flooring?
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this will change in the future
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a reserve fund?
  • You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions
  • Repair and maintenance of the flat For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Loughton please enquire of your conveyancer in ahead of your conveyancing in Loughton

    • My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Loughton. Conveyancing and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in Loughton who previously acted has long since retired.Do I pay?

    First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is in fact the new freeholder. There is no need to incur the fees of a Loughton conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

    I've recently bought a leasehold property in Loughton. Am I liable to pay service charges for periods before my ownership?

    In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure 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).

    What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Loughton conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

    When appointing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Loughton conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you speak with two or three firms including non Loughton conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be helpful:

    • What volume of lease extensions have they carried out in Loughton in the last twenty four months?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Loughton who can give a testimonial?

    • Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Loughton with the intention of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Loughton can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information needed by the buyers conveyancers.
    • A minority of Loughton leases require Landlord’s consent to the sale and approval of the buyers. If this is the case, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. Any bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the yearly 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 actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the buyers or their lawyers.
  • If you have had conflict with your landlord or managing agents it is essential that these are settled before the property is marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be concerned about purchasing a property where there is a current dispute. You will have to accept that you will have to discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal details of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as over rather than unresolved.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should ensure that you have the original share certificate. Organising a new share certificate is often a lengthy formality and frustrates many a Loughton home move. If a new share is required, you should approach the company director and secretary or managing agents (where applicable) for this as soon as possible.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be wise to verify this by asking your solicitors. A purchaser's lawyer will not be happy to advise their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the remaining number of years is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an as soon as possible that you consider whether the lease for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • I am the proprietor of a ground floor flat in Loughton. Given that I can not reach agreement with the landlord, can the Leasehold valuation Tribunal make a decision on the premium due for the purchase of the freehold?

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

    An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Loughton residence is 201 & 201a St. Barnabas Road in October 2013. The Tribunal decided that the price to be paid by the Applicants for the freehold interest is £20,071. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The the unexpired term as at the valuation date was 69.26 years.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Loughton