Leasehold Conveyancing in Twyford - Get a Quote from the leasehold experts approved by your lender

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When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Twyford, you will need to chose a conveyancing practitioner with leasehold experience. Whether your mortgage company is to be Clydesdale , Yorkshire Building Society or Bradford & Bingley make sure you choose a lawyer on their panel. Feel free to use our search tool

Twyford leasehold conveyancing: Q and A’s

I am in need of some leasehold conveyancing in Twyford. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the number of years remaining on the lease.

If the lease is recorded at the land registry - and most are in Twyford - 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 only have Sixty One years unexpired on my flat in Twyford. I am keen to extend my lease but my freeholder is missing. What should I do?

On the basis that you meet the appropriate requirements, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 you can apply to the County Court for an order to dispense with the service of the initial notice. This will enable the lease to be lengthened by the magistrate. However, you will be required to demonstrate that you or your lawyers have used your best endeavours to locate the landlord. For most situations a specialist should be useful to carry out a search and prepare an expert document to be accepted by the court as proof that the landlord is indeed missing. It is wise to seek advice from a conveyancer in relation to devolving into the landlord’s disappearance and the application to the County Court overseeing Twyford.

Last month I purchased a leasehold flat in Twyford. Am I liable to pay service charges relating to a period prior to completion of my purchase?

Where the service charge has already been demanded from the previous lessee and they have not paid you would not usually be personally liable for the arrears. Strange as it may seem, your landlord may still be able to take action to forfeit the lease. It is an essential part of leasehold conveyancing for your conveyancer to be sure to have an up to date clear service charge receipt before completion of your purchase. If you have a mortgage this is likely to be a requirement of your lender.

If you purchase part way through an accounting year you may be liable for charges not yet demanded even if they relate to a period prior to your purchase. In such circumstances your conveyancer would normally arrange for the seller to set aside some money to cover their part of the period (usually called a service charge retention).

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

When appointing a solicitor for lease extension works (regardless if they are a Twyford 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 Twyford conveyancing practices before you instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then that’s a bonus. Some following of questions might be useful:

  • What volume of lease extensions have they conducted in Twyford in the last twenty four months?
  • Can they put you in touch with client in Twyford who can give a testimonial?

    • Do you have any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Twyford with the aim of expediting the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Twyford can be avoided where you appoint lawyers the minute you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers solicitors.
    • Many freeholders or Management Companies in Twyford charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management pack can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Twyford.
  • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s permission? In particular have you installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Twyford state that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord approving such alterations. Should you dont have the approvals to hand do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your conveyancer in advance.
  • A minority of Twyford leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this applies to your lease, it would be prudent to notify your estate agents to make sure that the purchasers obtain bank and professional references. Any bank reference should make it clear that the buyer is financially capable of paying the yearly service charge and the actual amount of the service charge should be quoted in the bank’s letter. You will therefore need to provide your estate agents with the service charge figures so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their lawyers.
  • You believe that you know the number of years remaining on your lease but it would be advisable verify this via your conveyancers. A purchaser's conveyancer will not be happy to advise their client to proceed with the purchase of a leasehold property the remaining number of years is less than 75 years. It is therefore essential at an early stage that you identify whether the lease term requires a lease extension. If it does, contact your solicitors before you put your property on the market for sale.

    • Twyford Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should ask before buying

      How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their service charge payments? What is the maintenance charge and ground rent on the apartment? It would be a good idea to investigate if there is anything that is prohibited in the lease. For instance some leases prohibit pets being permitted in certain buildings in Twyford. If you love the flatin Twyford yet your dog is not allowed to live with you then you have a very hard compromise.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Twyford