Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Todmorden:

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Todmorden, you will need to instruct a conveyancing solicitor with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Santander, RBS or NatWest make sure you choose a lawyer on their panel. Feel free to use our search tool

Recently asked questions relating to Todmorden leasehold conveyancing

Expecting to exchange soon on a leasehold property in Todmorden. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report within the next couple of days. What should I be looking out for?

The report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Todmorden should include some of the following:

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, landlord
  • The total extent of the premises. This will be the property itself but could also include a roof space or cellar if applicable.
  • Whether the lease restricts you from letting out the property, or working from home
  • 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 sinking fund?
  • 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 For details of the information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Todmorden please enquire of your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Todmorden

    • My wife and I purchased a leasehold house in Todmorden. Conveyancing and National Westminster Bank mortgage went though with no issue. A letter has just been received from someone claiming to own the reversionary interest in the property. It included a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in Todmorden who acted for me is not around.Any advice?

    The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the new freeholder. You do not need to incur the fees of a Todmorden conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for £3. You should note 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.

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

    Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous owner and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, 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).

    What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Todmorden conveyancing firm to deal with our lease extension?

    When appointing a property lawyer for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Todmorden conveyancing firm) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you talk with two or three firms including non Todmorden conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be of use:

    • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • What volume of lease extensions has the firm conducted in Todmorden in the last 12 months?

    • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Todmorden with the purpose of saving time on the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Todmorden can be bypassed if you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information which will be required by the buyers representatives.
    • The majority landlords or Management Companies in Todmorden charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should discover the fee that they propose to charge. 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 frequent cause of frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Todmorden.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Todmorden leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or addition of wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord approving such changes. If you dont have the consents to hand do not communicate with the landlord without contacting your lawyer first.
  • Some Todmorden leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this applies to your lease, you should notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the annual service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the buyers or their solicitors.
  • You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but it would be advisable double-check by asking your solicitors. A purchaser's conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to to exchange contracts if the lease term is below 75 years. It is therefore essential at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

    • Todmorden Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - A selection of Questions you should consider before Purchasing

      Best to be warned if window replacement or some other major work is due shortly that will be shared amongst the tenants and will materially increase the the service charges or require a specific invoice. The best form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this situation the leaseholders have control and even though a managing agent is usually retained where it is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent acts for the leaseholders themselves. This information is important as a) areas can result in problems in the block as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate where services remain unpaid b) if the leaseholders have an issue with the managing agents you will want to have full disclosure

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Todmorden