Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Westhoughton:

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Recently asked questions relating to Westhoughton leasehold conveyancing

My wife and I may need to sub-let our Westhoughton basement flat temporarily due to a career opportunity. We used a Westhoughton conveyancing practice in 2004 but they have closed and we did not have the foresight to seek any guidance as to whether the lease permits subletting. How do we find out?

A small minority of properties in Westhoughton do contain a provision to say that subletting is only allowed with permission. The landlord cannot unreasonably withhold but, in such cases, they would need to see references. Experience suggests 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 permission.

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

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

  • How long the lease is You should be advised as what happens when the lease expires, and informed of the importance of not letting the lease term falling below eighty years
  • Defining your legal entitlements in respect of common areas in the block.By way of example, does the lease provide for a right of way over a path or hallways?
  • You must be told what constitutes a Nuisance in the lease
  • Ground rent - how much and when you need to pay, and also know whether this will change in the future
  • 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
  • What options are open to you if a neighbour is in violation of a provision in their lease?
  • What the implications are if you breach a clause of your lease? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Westhoughton please enquire of your conveyancer in advance of your conveyancing in Westhoughton

    • Estate agents have just been given the go-ahead to market my basement apartment in Westhoughton.Conveyancing solicitors are to be appointed soon but I have just had a yearly service charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

    It best that you clear the invoice 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 until 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. Having a clear account will assist your cause and will leave you no worse off financially.

    I've recently bought a leasehold flat in Westhoughton. Do I have any liability for service charges relating to a period prior to my ownership?

    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. 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 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 choosing a Westhoughton conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

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

    • What volume of lease extensions has the firm completed in Westhoughton in the last 12 months?
  • What are the costs for lease extension conveyancing?

    • Leasehold Conveyancing in Westhoughton - Sample of Queries Prior to Purchasing

      How much is the ground rent and service charge? Does the lease have onerous restrictions? Best to be warned whether window replacement or some other major work is due shortly to be shared amongst the tenants and will materially impact the level of the service costs or result in a one time payment.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Westhoughton