Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Victoria Dock:

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Recently asked questions relating to Victoria Dock leasehold conveyancing

Due to complete next month on a studio apartment in Victoria Dock. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they are sending me a report next week. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

  • You should be sent a copy of the lease
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this will change in the future
  • 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 rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide.
  • 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
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be contained in your report on your leasehold property in Victoria Dock please enquire of your lawyer in advance of your conveyancing in Victoria Dock

  • Back In 2002, I bought a leasehold house in Victoria Dock. Conveyancing and Virgin Money mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1992. The conveyancing solicitor in Victoria Dock who previously acted has now retired.Any advice?

    First contact HMLR to make sure that this person is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. There is no need to instruct a Victoria Dock conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the rightful freeholder, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

    I've recently bought a leasehold house in Victoria Dock. Do I have any liability for service charges for periods before completion of my purchase?

    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. However, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to ensure 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 finding a Victoria Dock conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

    If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Victoria Dock conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you speak with several firms including non Victoria Dock conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions could be useful:

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

  • We expect to complete the sale of our £475000 flat in Victoria Dock next week. The landlords agents has quoted £420 for Landlord’s certificate, building insurance schedule and previous years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge exorbitant fees for a flat conveyance in Victoria Dock?

    Victoria Dock conveyancing on leasehold maisonettes usually involves the purchaser’s conveyancer submitting questions for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to answer these enquiries the majority will be willing to do so. They are entitled levy a reasonable charge for responding to questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average fee for the paperwork that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is above £800. The management information fee demanded by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in relation to administration fees, without which the invoice is technically not due. Reality however dictates that one has no option but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to exchange contracts with the buyer.

    Victoria Dock Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Queries before buying

      Is there a share of the freehold? In the main the cost for major works tend not to be built into the service charges, albeit that some managing agents in Victoria Dock ask leaseholders to contribute towards a reserve fund created for the specific intention of establishing a fund for larger works. Best to be warned whether fixing the lift or some other significant cost is coming up to be shared by the leasehold owners and may well dramatically impact the level of the service charges or necessitate a one time payment.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Victoria Dock