Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 72 years remaining on my lease in Plympton. I am keen to get lease extension 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 enable the lease to be lengthened by the Court. However, you will be required to prove that you have made all reasonable attempts to track down the landlord. In some cases an enquiry agent may be useful to conduct investigations and prepare a report to be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the vesting order request to the County Court overseeing Plympton.

I today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently discovered that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are particular concerns purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Plympton. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been instructed. Will my lawyers set out the implications of buying a leasehold house in Plympton ?

The majority of houses in Plympton are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where 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 Plympton in which case you should be shopping around for a Plympton conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer will advise you fully on all the issues.

I am looking at a two flats in Plympton both have in the region of fifty years unexpired on the lease term. should I be concerned?

A lease is a legal document that entitles you to use the premises for a prescribed time frame. As the lease shortens the saleability of the lease deteriorate and it becomes more costly to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is often a good idea to extend the lease term. It is often difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease because mortgage lenders may be reluctant to lend money on such properties. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We recommend you get professional assistance from a solicitor and surveyor with experience in this field

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Plympton conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Plympton conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you talk with several firms including non Plympton conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be of use:

• If the firm is not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

How many lease extensions has the firm conducted in Plympton in the last year?

If all goes to plan we aim to complete the disposal of our £500000 garden flat in Plympton next Thursday . The freeholder has quoted £360 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and previous years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Plympton?

Plympton conveyancing on leasehold apartments typically results in administration charges invoiced by landlords agents :

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

Your lawyer will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Plympton leasehold property is £350. For Plympton 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 obliged to provide answers.

Plympton Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries before Purchasing

Be sure to investigate if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For instance it is very common in Plympton leases that pets are not allowed in in a block in Plympton. If you love the apartmentin Plympton but your cat can’t move with you then you will be presented with a difficult compromise. The answer will be useful as a) areas can cause problems in the block as the common areas may begin to deteriorate where maintenance are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the running of the building you will need to have full disclosure Best to be warned if changing the roof or some other significant cost is pending that will be shared by the leaseholders and will materially increase the the service costs or require a one time invoice.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Plympton