Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Tamworth:

Get a Quote

Any conveyancing practice can theoretically handle your leasehold conveyancing in Tamworth, your mortgage provider may unwilling to work with them if the firm are not on their list of approved solicitors for conveyancing

Common questions relating to Tamworth leasehold conveyancing

Due to exchange soon on a basement flat in Tamworth. Conveyancing solicitors have said that they report fully next week. What should I be looking out for?

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

  • Do you need to have carpet in the flat or are you allowed wood flooring?
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this is subject to change
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • Whether your lease has a provision for a reserve fund?
  • Changes to the flat (alterations and additions)
  • I don't know whether the lease allows me to alter or improve anything in the flat - you should know whether it applies to all alterations or just structural alteration, and whether consent is required
  • The landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain the building. It is important that you know who is responsible for the repair and maintenance of every part of the building For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Tamworth please ask your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Tamworth

    • I've found a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have since been informed that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a leasehold house in Tamworth. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?

    Most houses in Tamworth are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are buying in Tamworth so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Tamworth conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the freeholder’sconsent to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will report to you on the legal implications.

    Last month I purchased a leasehold flat in Tamworth. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before my ownership?

    In a situation where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. A critical element of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure 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).

    Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a Tamworth conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    If you are instructing a property lawyer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Tamworth conveyancing firm) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We recommend that you make enquires with two or three firms including non Tamworth conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be of use:

    • Can they put you in touch with client in Tamworth who can give a testimonial?
  • What are the costs for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Tamworth from the point of view of saving time on the sale process?

    • Much of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Tamworth can be avoided if you instruct lawyers as soon as your agents start advertising the property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers solicitors.
    • Many landlords or managing agents in Tamworth charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should discover the fee that they propose to charge. The management pack can be applied for on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most frequent cause of delay in leasehold conveyancing in Tamworth.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Tamworth state that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord approving such works. Where you fail to have the consents to hand do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your conveyancer in the first instance.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should ensure that you hold the original share certificate. Organising a replacement share certificate is often a time consuming formality and frustrates many a Tamworth home move. If a duplicate share is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if applicable) for this as soon as possible.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but you should double-check by asking your conveyancers. A buyer’s conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the remaining number of years is below 80 years. It is therefore essential at an as soon as possible that you identify whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your home on the market for sale.

    • Tamworth Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

      The best form of lease structure is where the freehold reversion is in the ownership of the leaseholders. In this situation the lessees have control and even though a managing agent is often employed if the building is larger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. Is anyone aware of any major works in the near future that will likely increase the service charges? This question is important as a) areas can result in problems for the block as the common areas may start to deteriorate if services remain unpaid b) if the leaseholders have a dispute with the managing agents you will wish to have all the details

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Tamworth