I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Milton Keynes. Before I get started I would like to find out the remaining lease term.

Assuming the lease is registered - and almost all are in Milton Keynes - 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.

There are only Seventy years remaining on my lease in Milton Keynes. I now wish to extend my lease but my landlord is can not be found. What options are available to me?

On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be lengthened by the magistrate. However, you will be required to prove that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to find the lessor. On the whole an enquiry agent may be helpful to try and locate and prepare a report which can be used as evidence that the landlord can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to proving the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering Milton Keynes.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my ground floor flat in Milton Keynes.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just received a yearly maintenance charge demand – what should I do?

It best that you clear the service charge 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 managing agents 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. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to tick a lot of boxes, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have subsequently found out that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Milton Keynes. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Milton Keynes ?

The majority of houses in Milton Keynes are freehold and not 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 buying in Milton Keynes so you should seriously consider looking for a Milton Keynes conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Milton Keynes conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Milton Keynes conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Milton Keynes conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be useful:

• If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
• What volume of lease extensions have they carried out in Milton Keynes in the last twenty four months?

Milton Keynes Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

The answer will be helpful as a) areas can cause problems in the block as the common areas may begin to deteriorate if services are not paid for b) if the tenants have a dispute with the running of the building you will want to have complete disclosure Are there any major works on the horizon that will add a premium to the service charges?