I wish to sublet my leasehold flat in Frenchay. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask her. Do I need to ask my freeholder for their consent?

Notwithstanding that your last Frenchay conveyancing solicitor is not around you can check your lease to see if it allows you to sublet the apartment. The accepted inference is that if the deeds are silent, subletting is allowed. There may be a precondition that you must obtain permission from your landlord or other appropriate person prior to subletting. This means that you cannot sublet without prior consent. Such consent should not be unreasonably turned down. If your lease prohibits you from subletting the property you will need to ask your landlord if they are willing to waive this restriction.

Due to sign contracts shortly on a studio apartment in Frenchay. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they report fully on Monday. What should I be looking out for?

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

• You should receive a copy of the lease

I have just started marketing my 2 bed flat in Frenchay.Conveyancing has not commenced but I have just had a yearly maintenance charge invoice – should I leave it to the buyer to sort out?

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 managing agents 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 today plan to offer on a house that seems to meet my requirements, at a reasonable price which is making it more attractive. I have since discovered that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Frenchay. Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been appointed. Will my lawyers set out the risks of buying a leasehold house in Frenchay ?

The majority of houses in Frenchay are freehold rather than leasehold. This is one of the situations where having a local conveyancer who is familiar with the area can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Frenchay so you should seriously consider looking for a Frenchay conveyancing practitioner and check that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the number of years remaining. Being a leaseholder you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions such as requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. It may be necessary to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the property is part of an estate. Your conveyancer will advise you fully on all the issues.

What are your top tips when it comes to appointing a Frenchay conveyancing practice to deal with our lease extension?

When appointing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Frenchay conveyancing firm) it is imperative that he or she should be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you speak with several firms including non Frenchay conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions might be of use:

• What volume of lease extensions has the firm carried out in Frenchay in the last 12 months?

Frenchay Conveyancing for Leasehold Flats - Examples of Questions you should ask before buying

Where a Frenchay lease has no more than eighty years it will impact the value of the property. Check with your bank that they are willing to lend given the lease term. A short lease means that you will almost definitely need a lease extension at some point and you need to have some idea of what this would cost. For most Frenchaylease extensions you will need to own the premises for two years before you are eligible to extend the lease. This information is useful as a) areas can result in problems in the building as the communal areas may begin to deteriorate if services are not paid for b) if the tenants have an issue with the running of the building you will wish to have full disclosure Is there a share of the freehold?

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Frenchay