Leasehold Conveyancing in Ravenshead - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

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Leasehold conveyancing in Ravenshead 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 Ravenshead and across next step up in loc. The lawyers we recommend have been approved by your lender so use our search tool to check.

Ravenshead leasehold conveyancing Example Support Desk Enquiries

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a basement flat in Ravenshead. Conveyancing lawyers inform me that they are sending me a report on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Ravenshead should include some of the following:

  • How long the lease is You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and aware of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years
  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat?
  • You must be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • 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
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Ravenshead please enquire of your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Ravenshead

    • Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my basement flat in Ravenshead.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a yearly service charge invoice – what should I do?

    Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should pay the invoice 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 today plan to offer on a house that seems to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Ravenshead. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Ravenshead ?

    Most houses in Ravenshead are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Ravenshead so you should seriously consider looking for a Ravenshead conveyancing practitioner and check that they have experience in transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a tenant you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease will likely included provisions for example obtaining the freeholder’sconsent to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a contribution towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is part of an estate. Your lawyer will advise you fully on all the issues.

    Last month I purchased a leasehold house in Ravenshead. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

    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. A critical element 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).

    Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Ravenshead with the purpose of speeding up the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Ravenshead can be avoided where you instruct lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers solicitors.
    • If you have carried out any alterations to the premises would they have required Landlord’s permission? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Ravenshead state that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring require a licence from the Landlord acquiescing to such alterations. If you fail to have the paperwork in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your lawyer before hand.
  • If you have had conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is very important that these are settled before the property is marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a property where a dispute is unsettled. You may need to swallow your pride and discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as historic as opposed to ongoing.
  • If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should make sure that you have the original share document. Organising a replacement share certificate can be a lengthy process and delays many a Ravenshead home move. If a duplicate share certificate is needed, you should approach the company director and secretary or managing agents (if applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity.
  • You believe that you know the number of years left on your lease but it would be wise to double-check via your lawyers. A buyer’s lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to where the lease term is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is essential at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • Ravenshead Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask before buying

      The prefered form of lease structure is where the freehold interest is owned by the leaseholders. In this arrangement the tenants benefit from control and notwithstanding that a managing agent is often retained if it is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. Who is in charge of the block? The answer will be helpful as a) areas may cause problems in the building as the communal areas may start to deteriorate if maintenance remain unpaid b) if the leasehold owners have an issue with the managing agents you will need to have complete disclosure

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Ravenshead