Quality lawyers for Leasehold Conveyancing in Widnes

When it comes to leasehold conveyancing in Widnes, you will need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer with leasehold experience. Whether your lender is to be Lloyds, RBS or Nationwide be sure to find a lawyer on their approved list. Feel free to use our search tool

Examples of recent questions relating to leasehold conveyancing in Widnes

I am on look out for some leasehold conveyancing in Widnes. Before I get started I want to be sure as to the remaining lease term.

If the lease is registered - and almost all are in Widnes - 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.

Looking forward to complete next month on a studio apartment in Widnes. Conveyancing solicitors inform me that they will have a report out to me next week. What should I be looking out for?

Your report on title for your leasehold conveyancing in Widnes should include some of the following:

  • Details of the parties to the lease, for example these could be the leaseholder (you), head lessor, freeholder
  • Setting out your legal entitlements in relation to the communal areas in the building.For example, does the lease permit a right of way over an accessway or hallways?
  • Will you be prohibited or prevented from having pets in the property?
  • Whether the lease restricts you from letting out the flat, or working from home
  • An explanation as to the provision in the lease to pay service charges - with regard to both the building, and the more general rights a leaseholder has
  • The landlord’s rights to access the flat you be made aware that your landlord has rights of access and I know how much notice s/he must provide.
  • Whether the landlord has obligations to ensure rights of quiet enjoyment over your premises and do you know what it means in practice? For a comprehensive list of information to be included in your report on your leasehold property in Widnes please ask your solicitor in advance of your conveyancing in Widnes

  • I today plan to offer on a house that seems to tick a lot of boxes, at a great price which is making it more attractive. I have since discovered that the title is leasehold rather than freehold. I am assuming that there are issues purchasing a leasehold house in Widnes. Conveyancing solicitors have are soon to be appointed. Will they explain the issues?

    The majority of houses in Widnes are freehold rather than leasehold. In this scenario it’s worth having a local conveyancer used to dealing with such properties who can help the conveyancing process. We note that you are purchasing in Widnes so you should seriously consider shopping around for a Widnes 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 lessee you will not be entirely free to do whatever you want with the house. The lease will likely included provisions for example requiring the landlord’spermission to carry out alterations. You may also be required to pay a maintenance charge towards the maintenance of the communal areas where the house is located on an estate. Your conveyancer will advise you fully on all the issues.

    Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Widnes with the aim of expediting the sale process?

    • A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Widnes can be avoided if you appoint lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to put together the leasehold information needed by the purchasers’ conveyancers.
    • In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Widnes state that internal structural changes or laying down wooden flooring necessitate a licence issued by the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. Should you fail to have the approvals in place do not contact the landlord without contacting your solicitor in the first instance.
  • A minority of Widnes leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this applies to your lease, it would be prudent to place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers obtain financial (bank) and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are able to meet the annual 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 actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors.
  • If you have had any disputes with your landlord or managing agents it is very important that these are settled before the property is put on the market. The buyers and their solicitors will be concerned about purchasing a property where there is a current dispute. You will have to accept that you will have to discharge any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to the buyers completing the purchase. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled ahead of the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal particulars of the dispute to the purchasers, but it is better to present the dispute as over as opposed to ongoing.
  • If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should make sure that you have the original share certificate. Obtaining a replacement share certificate is often a lengthy process and slows down many a Widnes home move. Where a duplicate share is necessary, you should approach the company director and secretary or managing agents (where relevant) for this sooner rather than later.

  • We expect to complete the sale of our £475000 apartment in Widnes on Friday in a week. The management company has quoted £324 for Certificate of Compliance, insurance certificate and 3 years service charge statements. Is the landlord entitled to charge an administration fee for a flat conveyance in Widnes?

    For most leasehold sales in Widnes conveyancing will involve, queries regarding the management of a building inevitably needing to be answered directly by the freeholder or its agent, this includes :

    • Addressing pre-contract questions
    • Where consent is required before sale in Widnes
    • Copies of the building insurance and schedule
    • Deeds of covenant upon sale
    • Registering of the assignment of the change of lessee after a sale
    Your conveyancer will have no control over the level of the charges for this information but the average costs for the information for Widnes leasehold property is £350. For Widnes conveyancing transactions it is customary for the seller to pay for these costs. The landlord or their agents are under no legal obligation to answer such questions most will be willing to do so - albeit often at exorbitant prices where the fees bear little relation to the work involved. Unfortunately there is no law that requires fixed charges for administrative tasks. Neither is there any legal time frame by which they are obliged to supply the information.

    I acquired a 1st floor flat in Widnes, conveyancing formalities finalised 6 years ago. Can you please calculate a probable premium for a statutory lease extension? Comparable flats in Widnes with a long lease are worth £199,000. The ground rent is £45 levied per year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2094

    With 69 years left to run we estimate the price of your lease extension to range between £13,300 and £15,400 plus professional fees.

    The suggested premium range above a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more detailed due diligence. Do not use the figures in tribunal or court proceedings. There are no doubt additional issues that need to be taken into account and you obviously should be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not take any other action based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

    Other Topics

    Lease Extensions in Widnes