I only have Fifty years remaining on my lease in Watnall. I now wish to get lease extension but my freeholder is can not be found. What options are available to me?

If you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be extended by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you have done all that could be expected to track down the lessor. In some cases an enquiry agent should be helpful to carry out a search and to produce a report which can be accepted by the court as evidence that the freeholder can not be located. It is wise to seek advice from a property lawyer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Watnall.

I am hoping to sign contracts shortly on a ground floor flat in Watnall. Conveyancing solicitors assured me that they report fully on Monday. Are there areas in the report that I should be focusing on?

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

• You should be sent a copy of the lease

Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my ground floor flat in Watnall.Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon but I have just had a half-yearly maintenance charge invoice – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should clear 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've found a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have since found out that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Watnall. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been appointed. Will they explain the issues?

Most houses in Watnall are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local solicitor used to dealing with such properties who can assist with the conveyancing process. it is apparent that you are purchasing in Watnall in which case you should be looking for a Watnall conveyancing practitioner and be sure that they have experience in advising on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the freeholder’sconsent to conduct changes to the property. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your solicitor will appraise you on the various issues.

If all goes to plan we aim to complete the disposal of our £300000 maisonette in Watnall in just under a week. The management company has quoted £324 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and previous years service charge statements. Is it legal for a freeholder to charge such fees for a leasehold conveyance in Watnall?

Watnall conveyancing on leasehold apartments more often than not involves the buyer’s conveyancer sending questions for the landlord to answer. Although the landlord is not legally bound to respond to such questions most will be content to do so. They are entitled levy a reasonable charge for answering enquiries or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some situations it exceeds £800. The management information fee required by the landlord must be accompanied by a synopsis of entitlements and obligations in relation to administration fees, otherwise the invoice is not strictly payable. In reality you have little option but to pay whatever is demanded should you wish to sell the property.

Watnall Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

What is the service charge and ground rent on the property? Is the freehold owned jointly by the leaseholders? It would be a good idea to investigate if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For example it is fairly common in Watnall leases that pets are not permitted in in a block in Watnall. If you love the apartmentin Watnall but your cat can’t move with you then you will be presented with a hard compromise.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Watnall