Fixed-fee leasehold conveyancing in Windmill Hill:

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Common questions relating to Windmill Hill leasehold conveyancing

Having had my offer accepted I require leasehold conveyancing in Windmill Hill. Before diving in I would like to find out the number of years remaining on the lease.

Assuming the lease is recorded at the land registry - and 99.9% are in Windmill Hill - then the leasehold title will always include the short particulars of the lease, namely the date; the term; and the original parties. From a conveyancing perspective such details then enable any prospective buyer and lender to confirm that any lease they are looking at is the one relevant to that title.For any other purpose, such as confirming how long the term was granted for and calculating what is left, then the register should be sufficient on it's own.

I would like to sublet my leasehold flat in Windmill Hill. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Some leases for properties in Windmill Hill 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.

What are your top tips when it comes to choosing a Windmill Hill conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Windmill Hill conveyancing practice) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We recommend that you make enquires with several firms including non Windmill Hill conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be of use:

  • If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?
  • How many lease extensions has the firm carried out in Windmill Hill in the last 12 months?

  • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Windmill Hill from the point of view of speeding up the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Windmill Hill can be avoided if you get in touch lawyers the minute you market your property and request that they start to put together the leasehold documentation needed by the purchasers’ representatives.
    • Many landlords or managing agents in Windmill Hill charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the fee that they propose to charge. The management pack sought on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The average time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most frequent reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in Windmill Hill.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s approval? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Windmill Hill leases often stipulate that internal structural changes or installing wooden flooring calls for a licence from the Landlord consenting to such works. Where you dont have the paperwork in place you should not contact the landlord without contacting your conveyancer before hand.
  • If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should ensure that you hold the original share certificate. Obtaining a duplicate share certificate can be a time consuming formality and frustrates many a Windmill Hill home move. If a duplicate share certificate is necessary, do contact the company officers or managing agents (if applicable) for this as soon as possible.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be advisable double-check by asking your solicitors. A purchaser's lawyer will be unlikely to recommend their client to where the remaining number of years is less than 80 years. In the circumstances it is important at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term for your property needs extending. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your premises on the market for sale.

  • Completion in due on the disposal of our £400000 garden flat in Windmill Hill on Friday in a week. The managing agents has quoted £396 for Landlord’s certificate, insurance certificate and previous years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge exorbitant fees for a flat conveyance in Windmill Hill?

    Windmill Hill conveyancing on leasehold apartments usually requires the purchaser’s conveyancer submitting questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is under no legal obligation to respond to such questions the majority will be willing to do so. They are entitled charge a reasonable administration fee for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average fee for the information that you are referring to is £350, in some cases it is above £800. The management information fee invoiced by the landlord must be sent together with a synopsis of rights and obligations in respect of administration charges, otherwise the charge is not strictly payable. In reality one has no option but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to sell the property.

    Windmill Hill Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should consider before buying

      On the whole the cost for major works are not included within maintenance charges, albeit that there some managing agents in Windmill Hill require tenants to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against major works. Make sure you discover if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. By way of example plenty of leases prohibit pets being permitted in certain buildings in Windmill Hill. If you like the flatin Windmill Hill however your dog can’t make the move with you then you have a very difficult compromise. You should be aware if it is less than eighty years it will have adverse implications on the salability of the apartment. Check with your bank that they are willing to lend given the lease term. A short lease means that you will probably have to extend the lease at some point and it is worth finding out what this will be. For most Windmill Hilllease extensions you would need to own the property for 24 months before you are legally able to exercise a lease extension.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Windmill Hill