I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Mickleover. Before I get started I require certainty as to the remaining lease term.

If the lease is registered - and almost all are in Mickleover - then the leasehold title will always include the basic details 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 am hoping to put an offer on a small detached house that appears to be perfect, at a great price which is making it all the more appealing. I have just been informed that it's a leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues buying a house with a leasehold title in Mickleover. Conveyancing solicitors have not yet been instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Mickleover 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 purchasing in Mickleover so you should seriously consider looking for a Mickleover conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to advising on leasehold houses. First you will need to check the unexpired lease term. As a lessee you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want to the property. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to conduct alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the maintenance of the estate where the house is located on an estate. Your solicitor should report to you on the legal implications.

Back In 2002, I bought a leasehold house in Mickleover. Conveyancing and Virgin Money mortgage are in place. I have received a letter from someone saying they have taken over the reversionary interest in the property. It included a ground rent demand for rent dating back to 1993. The conveyancing practitioner in Mickleover who previously acted has long since retired.Any advice?

The first thing you should do is contact HMLR to make sure that the individual purporting to own the freehold is indeed the new freeholder. It is not necessary to incur the fees of a Mickleover conveyancing firm to do this as you can do this on the Land Registry website for a few pound. You should note that regardless, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 no more than 6 years of rent can be collected.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to finding a Mickleover conveyancing firm to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

If you are instructing a solicitor for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Mickleover conveyancing practice) it is essential that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of work. We advise that you speak with several firms including non Mickleover conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. Where the conveyancing practice is ALEP accredited then so much the better. Some following of questions could be useful:

• If the firm is not ALEP accredited then why not?

All being well we will complete our sale of a £300000 flat in Mickleover next week. The managing agents has quoted £420 for Landlord’s certificate, insurance certificate and 3 years statements of service charge. Is the landlord entitled to charge an administration fee for a leasehold conveyance in Mickleover?

Mickleover conveyancing on leasehold apartments usually necessitates the buyer’s conveyancer sending questions for the landlord to address. Although the landlord is not legally bound to address these enquiries the majority will be willing to do so. They are at liberty charge a reasonable charge for answering questions or supplying documentation. There is no set fee. The average fee for the paperwork that you are referring to is over three hundred pounds, in some situations it exceeds £800. The management information fee levied by the landlord must be sent together with a summary of entitlements and obligations in respect of administration charges, without which the charge is technically not due. Reality however dictates that you have little choice but to pay whatever is requested of you if you want to complete the sale of your home.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Mickleover - Sample of Questions you should ask before buying

Its a good idea to discover as much as you can concerning the company managing the block as they will either make life much simpler or uncomfortable. Being a leasehold owner you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to practical matters such as the tidiness of the communal areas. Enquire of prospective neighbours what they think of their management. On a final note, investigate as to the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the relevant party and precisely what you get for your money. Plenty Mickleover leasehold properties will have a service charge for the upkeep of the block levied by the management company. If you acquire the property you will have to pay this liability, usually quarterly during the year. This may vary from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands of pounds for bigger purpose-built blocks. In all likelihood there will be a rentcharge for you to pay yearly, this is usually not a large amount, say about £25-£75 but you should to enquire as on occasion it could be surprisingly expensive. How much is the ground rent and service charge?

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Lease Extensions in Mickleover