Experts for Leasehold Conveyancing in North Shields and Tynemouth

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Leasehold conveyancing in North Shields and Tynemouth is more complex than freehold. Your home move will be smoother where you choose a lawyer with a wealth of experience of leasehold conveyancing in North Shields and Tynemouth and across next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Sample questions relating to North Shields and Tynemouth leasehold conveyancing

There are only 62 years remaining on my flat in North Shields and Tynemouth. I need to extend my lease but my landlord is missing. What are my options?

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 enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to locate the freeholder. On the whole an enquiry agent should be useful to try and locate and prepare a report which can be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a property lawyer both on proving the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court covering North Shields and Tynemouth.

Expecting to exchange soon on a ground floor flat in North Shields and Tynemouth. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they are sending me a report next week. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in North Shields and Tynemouth should include some of the following:

  • The unexpired lease term You should be advised as what happens when the lease ends, and aware of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years
  • Defining your rights in respect of common areas in the block.For example, does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or staircase?
  • 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
  • You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • 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 For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in North Shields and Tynemouth please enquire of your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in North Shields and Tynemouth

    • Last month I purchased a leasehold flat in North Shields and Tynemouth. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

    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. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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).

    I am a negotiator for a reputable estate agency in North Shields and Tynemouth where we have witnessed a few flat sales put at risk due to short leases. I have received inconsistent advice from local North Shields and Tynemouth conveyancing solicitors. Please can you confirm whether the seller of a flat can instigate the lease extension process for the purchaser on completion of the sale?

    Provided that the seller has been the owner 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 for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment has to be done before, or at the same time as completion of the sale.

    An alternative approach is 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 buyer.

    What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a North Shields and Tynemouth conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

    When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a North Shields and Tynemouth conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you speak with several firms including non North Shields and Tynemouth conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be useful:

    • If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • What volume of lease extensions have they conducted in North Shields and Tynemouth in the last twenty four months?

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in North Shields and Tynemouth - Examples of Questions you should ask before buying

      What is the the remaining lease term? What is the service charge and ground rent on the apartment? The best form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this arrangement the lessees enjoy control and although a managing agent is usually retained where it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in North Shields and Tynemouth