I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Wootton Bridge. Before diving in I would like to find out the remaining lease term.

If the lease is registered - and almost all are in Wootton Bridge - 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 wish to let out my leasehold flat in Wootton Bridge. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Do I need to ask my freeholder for permission?

Notwithstanding that your last Wootton Bridge conveyancing solicitor is no longer around you can review your lease to check if it allows you to sublet the property. The rule is that if the lease is silent, subletting is permitted. Quite often there is a prerequisite that you must seek permission via your landlord or other appropriate person before subletting. This means you not allowed to sublet without prior consent. Such consent must not not be unreasonably turned down. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you should ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

Having checked my lease I have discovered that there are only 72 years remaining on my flat in Wootton Bridge. I now want to get lease extension but my landlord is can not be found. What should I do?

On the basis that you qualify, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can submit an application to the County Court for for permission to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will mean that your lease can be extended by the Court. You will be obliged to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to locate the landlord. For most situations a specialist would be useful to try and locate and prepare a report which can be used as proof that the landlord can not be located. It is advisable to get professional help from a solicitor in relation to investigating the landlord’s absence and the application to the County Court overseeing Wootton Bridge.

I've found a house that appears to be perfect, at a reasonable price which is making it all the more appealing. I have subsequently discovered that it's a leasehold as opposed to freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a house with a leasehold title in Wootton Bridge. Conveyancing solicitors have are about to be instructed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Wootton Bridge ?

Most houses in Wootton Bridge 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. We note that you are buying in Wootton Bridge so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Wootton Bridge conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to dealing with leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the number of years remaining. As a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions such as obtaining the landlord’spermission to conduct changes to the property. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the upkeep of the estate where the house is part of an estate. Your lawyer will report to you on the legal implications.

I am employed by a reputable estate agent office in Wootton Bridge where we have witnessed a number of leasehold sales derailed due to short leases. I have been given inconsistent advice from local Wootton Bridge conveyancing solicitors. Can you shed some light as to whether the owner of a flat can instigate the lease extension process for the buyer?

As long as the seller has been the owner for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. This means that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years for a lease extension. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed prior to, or at the same time as completion of the disposal of the property.

Alternatively, it may be possible to extend the lease informally by agreement with the landlord either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the purchaser.

Wootton Bridge Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Sample of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

Most Wootton Bridge leasehold flats will incur a service charge for the upkeep of the building set by the landlord. Should you purchase the apartment you will have to meet this amount, normally quarterly accross the year. This may be anything from two or three hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for blocks with lifts and large common grounds. There will also be a rentcharge for you to pay annual, ordinarily this is not a large sum, say about £50-£100 but you need to enquire it because sometimes it could be surprisingly expensive. How many years remain on the lease? How much is the ground rent and service charge?

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Wootton Bridge