I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Radcliffe on Trent. Before diving in I would like to find out the unexpired term of the lease.

Assuming the lease is registered - and 99.9% are in Radcliffe on Trent - 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.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my basement apartment in Radcliffe on Trent.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a quarterly maintenance charge demand – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge 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 management companies will not acknowledge the buyer unless 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 meet my requirements, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Radcliffe on Trent. Conveyancing advisers have are about to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Radcliffe on Trent are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Radcliffe on Trent so you should seriously consider looking for a Radcliffe on Trent conveyancing solicitor and check that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a tenant you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

I've recently bought a leasehold house in Radcliffe on Trent. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before 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).

Completion in due on our sale of a £300000 maisonette in Radcliffe on Trent in six days. The management company has quoted £312 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and 3 years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Radcliffe on Trent?

Radcliffe on Trent conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes ordinarily involves administration charges raised by managing agents :

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

Your solicitor will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Radcliffe on Trent leasehold premises is £350. For Radcliffe on Trent 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 supply the information.

Radcliffe on Trent Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Queries before buying

What is the service charge and ground rent on the property? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments? The prefered form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this scenario the leaseholders enjoy being in charge if their destiny and notwithstanding that a managing agent is frequently retained where the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent is directed by the tenants.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Radcliffe on Trent