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

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

Examples of recent questions relating to leasehold conveyancing in Sparkhill

My partner and I may need to rent out our Sparkhill basement flat temporarily due to a career opportunity. We instructed a Sparkhill conveyancing firm in 2004 but they have since shut and we did not have the foresight to seek any guidance as to whether the lease allows us to sublet. How do we find out?

A small minority of properties in Sparkhill do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests 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.

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my 2 bed flat in Sparkhill.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just had a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – Do I pay up?

The sensible thing to do is clear 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 managing agents 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 seems to be perfect, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently been informed that the title is leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are particular concerns purchasing a leasehold house in Sparkhill. Conveyancing advisers have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Sparkhill are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Sparkhill in which case you should be looking for a Sparkhill conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as requiring the landlord’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your lawyer will appraise you on the various issues.

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

If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Sparkhill conveyancing firm) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Sparkhill conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be helpful:

  • If they are not ALEP accredited then what is the reason?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Sparkhill who can give a testimonial?

    • Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Sparkhill with the aim of speeding up the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Sparkhill can be bypassed where you appoint lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information needed by the buyers solicitors.
    • Many landlords or Management Companies in Sparkhill charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management information sought as soon as you have a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most usual reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Sparkhill.
  • If you have carried out any alterations to the property would they have required Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Sparkhill leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring require a licence from the Landlord approving such changes. Should you fail to have the paperwork in place do not communicate with the landlord without contacting your lawyer in advance.
  • If you have had any disputes with your freeholder or managing agents it is very important that these are resolved prior to the flat being marketed. The purchasers and their solicitors will be reluctant to purchase a flat where there is an ongoing dispute. You will have to accept that you will have to discharge any arrears of service charge or settle 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 are still duty bound to disclose particulars of the dispute to the buyers, but it is better to present the dispute as historic rather than unresolved.
  • If you have the benefit of shareholding in the freehold, you should ensure that you are holding the original share document. Arranging a re-issued share certificate is often a lengthy formality and delays many a Sparkhill home move. If a reissued share certificate is needed, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where relevant) for this sooner rather than later.

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in Sparkhill - Examples of Questions you should ask Prior to Purchasing

      You should be aware that where the lease has less than eighty years it will affect the salability of the apartment. Check with your lender that they are content with residual term of the lease. A short lease means that you will probably need a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of how much this will be. Remember, in most cases you would need to own the residence for a couple of years in order to be eligible to exercise a lease extension. Is there a share of the freehold? Who are the managing agents?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Sparkhill