Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Middlewich:

Get a Quote

Whether you are buying or selling leasehold flat in Middlewich, our panel of leasehold conveyancing experts will help you move with as little stress as possible. Find a Middlewich conveyancing lawyer with our search tool

Top Five Questions relating to Middlewich leasehold conveyancing

I am hoping to complete next month on a basement flat in Middlewich. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they report fully 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 Middlewich should include some of the following:

  • Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat?
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a sinking fund?
  • You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions
  • I don't know whether the lease allows me to alter or improve anything in the flat - you should know whether it applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Middlewich please enquire of your solicitor in ahead of your conveyancing in Middlewich

    • I have just appointed agents to market my basement flat in Middlewich.Conveyancing is yet to be initiated but I have just received a yearly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

    It best that you pay the invoice as normal because all ground rent and service charges will be apportioned on completion, so you will be reimbursed by the buyer for the period running from after the completion date to the next payment date. Most management companies will not acknowledge the buyer until the service charges have been paid and are up to date so it is important for both buyer and seller for the seller to show that they are up to date. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

    I own a leasehold flat in Middlewich. Conveyancing and Norwich and Peterborough Building Society mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1997. The conveyancing solicitor in Middlewich who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

    The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that this person is in fact the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Middlewich conveyancing practitioner to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. Rest assured that in any event, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

    I work for a long established estate agency in Middlewich where we have experienced a number of leasehold sales derailed as a result of short leases. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Middlewich conveyancing solicitors. Can you clarify whether the seller of a flat can start the lease extension formalities for the buyer?

    As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the buyer need not have to wait 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 sale.

    Alternatively, it may be possible 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 buyer.

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

    If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Middlewich conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you make enquires with several firms including non Middlewich conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be of use:

    • How familiar is the firm with lease extension legislation?
  • What volume of lease extensions have they completed in Middlewich in the last twenty four months?

    • Middlewich Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before buying

      Does the lease contain onerous restrictions? Are there any major works in the near future that could increase the service costs? It would be prudent to find out as much as possible about the company managing the block as they will impact your use and enjoyment of the property. As the owner of a leasehold property you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to daily issues like the cleanliness of the common parts. You should not be shy to ask other tenants if they are happy with their management. On a final note, be sure you know the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the managing agents and specifically what you get for your money.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Middlewich