Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Shenfield:

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

Frequently asked questions relating to Shenfield leasehold conveyancing

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

Notwithstanding that your last Shenfield conveyancing solicitor is no longer around you can check your lease to check if it allows you to sublet the premises. The accepted inference is that if the deeds are silent, subletting is permitted. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you are obliged to seek permission via your landlord or some other party in advance of subletting. The net result is that you cannot sublet without first obtaining permission. Such consent must not not be unreasonably withheld. If your lease does not allow you to sublet you will need to ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

I only have Sixty One years unexpired on my lease in Shenfield. I now want to extend my lease but my landlord is can not be found. What should I do?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be lengthened by the Court. You will be obliged to prove that you or your lawyers have done all that could be expected to track down the lessor. On the whole an enquiry agent may be useful to carry out a search and prepare a report to be used as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to investigating the landlord’s absence and the vesting order request to the County Court covering Shenfield.

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Shenfield conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Shenfield conveyancing practice) it is essential that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you speak with two or three firms including non Shenfield conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be helpful:

  • How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?
  • What are the charges for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Can you provide any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Shenfield from the perspective of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Shenfield can be avoided if you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold documentation needed by the purchasers’ lawyers.
    • The majority freeholders or Management Companies in Shenfield levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should discover the actual amount of the charges. The management information can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The average time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Shenfield.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s permission? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Shenfield leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring require a licence from the Landlord consenting to such changes. Where you dont have the paperwork in place you should not communicate with the landlord without contacting your conveyancer in the first instance.
  • If you have had conflict with your freeholder or managing agents it is essential that these are settled before the property is put on the market. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where there is a current dispute. You may have to bite the bullet and pay any arrears of service charge or settle the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You are still duty bound to disclose particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to reveal the dispute as over as opposed to unsettled.
  • If you are supposed to have a share in the freehold, you should make sure that you hold the original share document. Obtaining a re-issued share certificate is often a lengthy formality and frustrates many a Shenfield conveyancing transaction. If a duplicate share certificate is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if relevant) for this as soon as possible.

    • Completion in due on the sale of our £475000 flat in Shenfield in just under a week. The landlords agents has quoted £372 for Certificate of Compliance, building insurance schedule and previous years statements of service charge. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a flat conveyance in Shenfield?

    Shenfield conveyancing on leasehold flats often requires the buyer’s solicitor sending enquiries for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to address such questions the majority will be willing to do so. They may invoice a reasonable charge for responding to enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no upper cap for such fees. The average costs for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some situations it is above £800. The administration charge levied by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of rights and obligations in relation to administration fees, otherwise the invoice is technically not due. In reality one has no option but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to exchange contracts with the buyer.

    I own a leasehold flat in Shenfield, conveyancing having been completed 2009. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Equivalent flats in Shenfield with an extended lease are worth £178,000. The ground rent is £65 invoiced every year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2100

    With 78 years unexpired the likely cost is going to range between £9,500 and £11,000 as well as legals.

    The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we are not able to advice on a more accurate figure in the absence of detailed due diligence. Do not use this information in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and clearly you should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. Neither should you move forward placing reliance on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Shenfield