I am intending to sublet my leasehold flat in Rumney. Conveyancing solicitor who did the purchase is retired - so can't ask him. Is permission from the freeholder required?

Notwithstanding that your last Rumney conveyancing solicitor is no longer available you can review your lease to see if it allows you to sublet the apartment. The accepted inference is that if the lease is silent, subletting is allowed. There may be a precondition that you must obtain permission via your landlord or other appropriate person prior to subletting. This means you not allowed to sublet without prior permission. Such consent should not be unreasonably turned down. If the lease does not allow you to sublet you will need to ask your landlord for their consent.

I have just appointed agents to market my basement apartment in Rumney.Conveyancing lawyers have not yet been instructed but I have just received a quarterly service charge demand – what should I do?

Your conveyancing lawyer is likely to suggest that you should discharge 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. This will smooth the conveyancing process.

I've found a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great figure which is making it all the more appealing. I have just discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I would have thought that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Rumney. Conveyancing lawyers have are soon to be instructed. Will they explain the issues?

The majority of houses in Rumney are freehold and not leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. It is clear that you are purchasing in Rumney so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Rumney conveyancing solicitor and be sure that they are used to transacting on leasehold houses. As a matter of priority you will need to check the unexpired lease term. Being a leaseholder you will not be at liberty to do whatever you want with the house. The lease comes with conditions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a service charge towards the upkeep of the communal areas where the property is located on an estate. Your lawyer should report to you on the legal implications.

I am attracted to a couple of flats in Rumney both have about forty five years left on the lease term. should I be concerned?

There are plenty of short leases in Rumney. The lease is a right to use the premises for a prescribed time frame. As a lease gets shorter the marketability of the lease deteriorate and results in it becoming more expensive to acquire a lease extension. For this reason it is generally wise to extend the lease term. It is often difficulties arise selling premises with a short lease as mortgage companies less inclined to grant a loan on such properties. Lease extension can be a difficult process. We recommend you seek professional assistance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this arena

Can you offer any advice when it comes to appointing a Rumney conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Rumney conveyancing practice) it is most important that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We suggested that you make enquires with several firms including non Rumney conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be helpful:

• How experienced is the firm with lease extension legislation?

Leasehold Conveyancing in Rumney - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

The prefered form of lease arrangement is a share of the freehold. In this scenario the lessees have control and although a managing agent is often employed where the building is bigger than a house conversion, the managing agent employed by the leaseholders. Best to be warned whether fixing the lift or some other major work is due in the foreseeable future to be shared between the tenants and may well materially increase the the maintenance fees or necessitate a specific invoice. It would be sensible to discover as much as you can concerning the company managing the building as they will either make your living at the property much easier or much more difficult. As the owner of a leasehold property you are frequently in the clutches of the managing agents both financially and when it comes to practical matters like the upkeep of the common parts. Enquire of prospective neighbours whether they are happy with their management. In conclusion, find out the dates that you are obliged pay the service charge to the appropriate party and specifically what you get for your money.

Other Topics

Lease Extensions in Rumney