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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Sandbach, you will need to appoint a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Halifax, RBS or Nationwide make sure you choose a lawyer on their approved list. Feel free to use our search tool

Top Five Questions relating to Sandbach leasehold conveyancing

I am hoping to exchange soon on a studio apartment in Sandbach. Conveyancing lawyers have said that they are sending me a report within the next couple of days. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Sandbach should include some of the following:

  • The total extent of the premises. This will be the flat itself but may include a loft or cellar if appropriate.
  • Do you need to have carpet in the flat or are you allowed wood flooring?
  • Are you allowed to have a pet in the flat?
  • You should have a good understanding of the insurance provisions
  • Repair and maintenance of the flat
  • The landlord’s rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide.
  • What you can do if a neighbour breach a clause of their lease? For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Sandbach please enquire of your solicitor in ahead of your conveyancing in Sandbach

    • I own a leasehold flat in Sandbach. Conveyancing and Alliance & Leicester mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing solicitor in Sandbach who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

    The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to make sure that this person is in fact the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Sandbach conveyancing solicitor to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for £3. You should note that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

    I've recently bought a leasehold property in Sandbach. Am I liable to pay 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).

    What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Sandbach conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Sandbach conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Sandbach conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be useful:

    • If they are not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Sandbach who can give a testimonial?

    • What makes a Sandbach lease unacceptable for security purposes?

    Leasehold conveyancing in Sandbach is not unique. Most leases are individual and legal mistakes in the legal wording can sometimes mean that certain clauses are not included. For example, if your lease is missing any of the following, it could be defective:

    • A provision to repair to or maintain elements of the property
    • A duty to insure the building
    • Clauses dealing with recovering service charges for expenditure on the building or common parts.
    • Maintenance charge proportions which don’t add up to the correct percentage

    You could have difficulties when selling your property if you have a defective lease primarily because it impacts on the ability to obtain a mortgage on the property. HSBC Bank, Chelsea Building Society, and Clydesdale all have express requirements when it comes to what is expected in a lease. Where a lender has been advised by their lawyers that the lease is problematic they may refuse to grant the mortgage, obliging the purchaser to withdraw.

    Sandbach Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Queries before Purchasing

      Are there any major works on the horizon that will likely increase the maintenance fees? How many years remain on the lease? Who is in charge of the building?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Sandbach