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

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While any conveyancing solicitor can theoretically handle your leasehold conveyancing in Stevenage, your mortgage provider may not be willing to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Common questions relating to Stevenage leasehold conveyancing

I would like to rent out my leasehold apartment in Stevenage. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Some leases for properties in Stevenage 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 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 consent.

Expecting to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Stevenage. Conveyancing lawyers assured me that they report fully tomorrow. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • You should receive a copy of the lease
  • The total extent of the premises. This will be the property itself but might incorporate a roof space or cellar if appropriate.
  • Do you need to have carpet in the flat or are you allowed wood flooring?
  • Whether the lease restricts you from renting out the property, or having a home office for business
  • You must be told what counts as a Nuisance in the lease
  • Responsibility for repairing the window frames
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Stevenage please ask your lawyer in advance of your conveyancing in Stevenage

    • I’m about to sell my basement flat in Stevenage.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a half-yearly service charge invoice – Do I pay up?

    The sensible thing to do is pay the service charge 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 am a negotiator for a reputable estate agent office in Stevenage where we see a number of flat sales jeopardised as a result of leases having less than 80 years remaining. I have received contradictory information from local Stevenage conveyancing firms. Please can you clarify whether the owner of a flat can initiate the lease extension process for the buyer?

    As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the buyer need not have to sit tight for 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed before, or simultaneously with completion of the disposal of the property.

    An alternative approach is to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.

    When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Stevenage what are the most common lease problems?

    There is nothing unique about leasehold conveyancing in Stevenage. All leases are unique and legal mistakes in the legal wording can result in certain clauses are missing. The following missing provisions could result in a defective lease:

    • Repairing obligations to or maintain elements of the property
    • A duty to insure the building
    • A provision for the recovery of money spent for the benefit of another party.
    • Service charge per centages that don't add up correctly leaving a shortfall

    You will 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. Barclays , Coventry Building Society, and Platform Home Loans Ltd all have express conveyancing instructions when it comes to what is expected in a lease. If a mortgage lender believes that the lease is defective they may refuse to provide security, forcing the buyer to withdraw.

    Stevenage Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying

      Who manages the building? It is important to be aware whether fixing the lift or some other significant cost is coming up to be shared amongst the leasehold owners and could well materially impact the level of the maintenance costs or necessitate a one time invoice. What is the annual maintenance fee and ground rent?

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Stevenage