With home conveyancing, there are many issues which demand debate:-
1. Contract Price;
2. Situation;
3. Is it appropriate for you;
4. Lawyers Costs and much more.
The solutions to such queries generally demand some contemplation at the outset, although whenever solved not much thought is given to them.
This can be somewhat straight forward with the acquisition of a freehold property however many people, particularly initial time buyers do not foresee all of the hidden and future fees linked with a leasehold property (i.e. A flat or apartment.)
You may not be conscious that when buying a lease home there will often be additional costs that would not be attached to a freehold transaction and the purchaser has no control over these - even if you instruct a cheap conveyancing lawyer.
Firstly, with conveyancing nearly all firms will charge an additional fee for dealing leasehold properties so make sure you determine out what this is at the outset so you have the entire picture in respect of the costs to be paid.
There will also be further disbursements charged by the freeholder and managing agent (if appointed) and these will be for registration as the lesse of the house and will incur an administration cost. These differ among freeholders and the solicitor will be unable to make certain such costs except for seeing of the lease document and freeholder's replies to enquiries, although it is something you must consider into the transaction.
Even after conclusion of your conveyancing and whenever you are the contractual owner of the leasehold, you will continue to pay ground rent for the home and maintenance and service -charges.
Whilst ground rent is obvious and frequently fixed considering it is drafted into the terms of the lease, the service charges are not a fixed.
Maintenance charges relate to the maintenance of the block, contributions to insurance policies as well as following repairs and often contributions to the estate. The service charges are usually to be paid year after year and there is frequently no limit or indication as to what these will rise to.
Another issue to bear in mind with your conveyancing is that if the freeholder wishes to restore or redecorate the block you will normally have no say over this and will have to add to to the works in the next service charge payment.
Many individuals are often ignorant when they obtain a lease house of the capital responsibilities attached and so when picking your house, think carefully when considering a leasehold property.
Author Resource:
We at Havillands & Co. Solicitors are a national conveyancing centre with expertise in providing residential and commercial conveyancing. Our property solicitors have over 40 years of experience on all aspects of conveyancing and property law.
If you need a quote Visit our website for more information and a conveyancing quote for your conveyancing transaction.