Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Pulborough. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and 99.9% are in Pulborough - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars 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.

I want to let out my leasehold flat in Pulborough. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for their consent?

Even though your previous Pulborough conveyancing solicitor is not around you can review your lease to see if it allows you to sublet the premises. The rule is that if the deeds are non-specific, subletting is allowed. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you need to obtain consent from your landlord or some other party before subletting. This means you not allowed to sublet in the absence of first obtaining consent. The consent must not not be unreasonably refused ore delayed. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you will need to ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

I only have Sixty One years remaining on my lease in Pulborough. I need 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 apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be granted an extra 90 years by the magistrate. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have made all reasonable attempts to find the lessor. In some cases an enquiry agent should be helpful to carry out a search and to produce an expert document which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to investigating the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court covering Pulborough.

I today plan to offer on a house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable figure which is making it more attractive. I have since been informed that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Pulborough. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Pulborough are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Pulborough in which case you should be looking for a Pulborough conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the landlord’spermission to conduct alterations. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will report to you on the legal implications.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Pulborough conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Pulborough conveyancing practice) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Pulborough 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:

• If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Pulborough - A selection of Queries Prior to buying

The answer will be helpful as a) areas can cause problems for the building as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate if repairs are not paid for b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the running of the building you will want to know about it The prefered form of lease structure is a share of the freehold. In this arrangement the tenants benefit from control and notwithstanding that a managing agent is frequently retained if it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. Best to be warned whether window replacement or some other major work is anticipated that will be shared by the leasehold owners and may well dramatically increase the the service charges or require a one off payment.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Pulborough