Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Machynlleth. Before diving in I would like to find out the remaining lease term.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and almost all are in Machynlleth - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title.For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

I have recently realised that I have 72 years unexpired on my lease in Machynlleth. I now want to extend my lease but my freeholder is missing. What should I do?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you have used your best endeavours to locate the landlord. For most situations a specialist may be useful to try and locate and to produce a report which can be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer both on investigating the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Machynlleth.

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 the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Machynlleth. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Machynlleth are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Machynlleth so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Machynlleth conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your lawyer should advise you fully on all the issues.

My wife and I purchased a leasehold flat in Machynlleth. Conveyancing and Yorkshire Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1998. The conveyancing solicitor in Machynlleth who acted for me is not around.Any advice?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. It is not necessary to instruct a Machynlleth conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

All being well we will complete our sale of a £450000 maisonette in Machynlleth in 10 days. The management company has quoted £408 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge exorbitant fees for a flat conveyance in Machynlleth?

For most leasehold sales in Machynlleth conveyancing will involve, queries regarding the management of a building inevitably needing to be answered directly by the freeholder or its agent, this includes :

• Completing conveyancing due diligence questions
• Where consent is required before sale in Machynlleth
• Supplying insurance information
• Deeds of covenant upon sale
• Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale

Your solicitor will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Machynlleth leasehold premises is £350. For Machynlleth conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are required to provide the information.

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

Plenty Machynlleth leasehold flats will be liable to pay a service bill for maintenance of the block invoiced on behalf of the management company. If you purchase the flat you will have to meet this contribution, usually periodically accross the year. This may differ from a few hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for bigger purpose-built blocks. There will also be a rentcharge for you to pay annual, ordinarily this is not a large sum, say around £25-£75 but you should to check it because on occasion it can be many hundreds of pounds. How much is the ground rent and service charge? On the whole the outlay for major works tend not to be included within maintenance charges, albeit that some managing agents in Machynlleth require leasehold owners to contribute towards a sinking fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for larger works.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Machynlleth