Guaranteed fixed fees for Leasehold Conveyancing in Meliden

When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Meliden, you will need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Halifax, Birmingham Midshires or NatWest make sure you find a lawyer on their approved list. Feel free to use our search tool

Recently asked questions relating to Meliden leasehold conveyancing

My partner and I may need to rent out our Meliden 1st floor flat for a while due to taking a sabbatical. We used a Meliden conveyancing firm in 2004 but they have since shut and we did not think at the time seek any guidance as to whether the lease prohibits the subletting of the flat. How do we find out?

A small minority of properties in Meliden do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to review references. Experience suggests that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting consent.

I've found a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently found out that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Meliden. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Meliden ?

The majority of houses in Meliden are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Meliden in which case you should be shopping around for a Meliden 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 tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example obtaining the landlord’sconsent to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will appraise you on the various issues.

I am employed by a busy estate agency in Meliden where we see a number of leasehold sales derailed due to short leases. I have been given conflicting advice from local Meliden conveyancing solicitors. Please can you confirm whether the owner of a flat can start the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?

Provided that the seller has owned the lease 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. This means that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done before, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord 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.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a Meliden conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Meliden conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you speak with several firms including non Meliden conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be of use:

  • If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • How many lease extensions has the firm conducted in Meliden in the last twenty four months?

  • We expect to complete our sale of a £350000 maisonette in Meliden on Friday in a week. The landlords agents has quoted £360 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and previous years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Meliden?

    Meliden conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes often necessitates the buyer’s lawyer submitting questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is not legally bound to address such questions most will be willing to do so. They may levy a reasonable charge for responding to enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some transactions it is above £800. The administration charge required by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in relation to administration fees, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. Reality however dictates that one has no option but to pay whatever is requested of you should you wish to sell the property.

    I bought a leasehold flat in Meliden, conveyancing formalities finalised in 2006. Can you give me give me an indication of the likely cost of a lease extension? Similar flats in Meliden with an extended lease are worth £199,000. The ground rent is £65 invoiced annually. The lease ceases on 21st October 2103

    You have 78 years unexpired we estimate the premium for your lease extension to range between £9,500 and £11,000 as well as legals.

    The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to supply a more accurate figure in the absence of comprehensive investigations. You should not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There may be additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information without first getting professional advice.

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    Lease Extensions in Meliden