Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Seascale and Sellafield. Before diving in I would like to find out the number of years remaining on the lease.

Assuming the lease is registered - and most are in Seascale and Sellafield - 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.

I wish to let out my leasehold apartment in Seascale and Sellafield. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Some leases for properties in Seascale and Sellafield do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord is not entitled to unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience dictates that problems are usually caused by unsatisfactory tenants rather than owner-occupiers and for that reason you can expect the freeholder to take up the references and consider them carefully before granting permission.

I only have Fifty years left on my lease in Seascale and Sellafield. I am keen to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What are my options?

If 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 granted an extra 90 years by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you have used your best endeavours to find the freeholder. On the whole an enquiry agent would be helpful to try and locate and prepare an expert document to be used as evidence that the freeholder is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer both on proving the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Seascale and Sellafield.

I own a leasehold house in Seascale and Sellafield. Conveyancing and Lloyds TSB Bank mortgage organised. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the freehold. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing solicitor in Seascale and Sellafield who acted for me is not around.Do I pay?

First make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to incur the fees of a Seascale and Sellafield conveyancing lawyer to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. Rest assured that regardless, even if this is the rightful landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

What advice can you give us when it comes to choosing a Seascale and Sellafield conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Seascale and Sellafield conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We suggested that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Seascale and Sellafield conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

• How many lease extensions has the firm completed in Seascale and Sellafield in the last twenty four months?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Seascale and Sellafield - Sample of Queries Prior to buying

Many Seascale and Sellafield leasehold properties will have a service bill for the upkeep of the block levied on behalf of the freeholder. Should you acquire the flat you will have to meet this liability, normally quarterly during the year. This may vary from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for bigger purpose-built blocks. In all likelihood there will be a rentcharge to be met annual, normally this is not a exorbitant sum, say around £25-£75 but you need to check it because sometimes it can be surprisingly expensive. It would be sensible to discover if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. By way of example it is very common in Seascale and Sellafield leases that pets are not allowed in certain buildings in Seascale and Sellafield. If you like the propertyin Seascale and Sellafield yet your cat can’t make the move with you then you have a very difficult compromise. The answer will be important as a) areas can cause problems for the block as the common areas may begin to deteriorate if maintenance remain unpaid b) if the tenants have a dispute with the managing agents you will wish to know about it

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Seascale and Sellafield