Due to the guidance of my in-laws I had a survey completed on a house in White City ahead of appointing conveyancers. I have been advised that there is a flying freehold element to the house. Our surveyor advised that some banks tend refuse to give a mortgage on this type of house.
It depends who your proposed lender is. Lloyds has different requirements from Nationwide. If you call us we can check with the appropriate lender. If you lender is happy to lend one our lawyers can help as they are used to dealing with flying freeholds in White City. Conveyancing may be slightly more expensive based on your lender's requirements.
I was recommended by three or four local estate agents in White City to get a quote from a solicitor on your site. What’s the financial upside for Estate Agents to offer your services rather than a competitor’s?
We don’t offer any commission for pointing buyers and sellers in our direction. We found it would be just too difficult to pay a commission because members of the public would think, ‘Why is the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.
My brother has suggested that I use his lawyers for conveyancing in White City. Should I use them?
There are no two ways about it the ideal way to choose a conveyancing lawyer is to seek guidance from friends or relatives who have experience in using the solicitor that you are are thinking of instructing.
I work for a long established estate agent office in White City where we see a number of flat sales derailed due to short leases. I have received contradictory information from local White City conveyancing firms. Please can you clarify whether the owner of a flat can commence the lease extension process for the buyer?
As long as the seller has owned the lease for at least 2 years it is possible, to serve a Section 42 notice to start the lease extension process and assign the benefit of the notice to the purchaser. The benefit of this is that the proposed purchaser can avoid having to sit tight for 2 years to extend their lease. Both sets of lawyers will agree to form of assignment. The assignment needs to be completed prior to, or at the same time as completion of the sale.
Alternatively, it may be possible to agree the lease extension with the freeholder either before or after the sale. If you are informally negotiating there are no rules and so you cannot insist on the landlord agreeing to grant an extension or transferring the benefit of an agreement to the buyer.
I have attempted and failed to negotiate with my landlord to extend my lease without success. Can one make an application to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a White City conveyancing firm to represent me?
Where there is a absentee landlord or where there is disagreement about what the lease extension should cost, under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 it is possible to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine the sum to be paid.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a White City property is 23 & 23A Collingbourne Road in June 2013. Tribunal was dealing with the assessment of the value of the freehold reversion and determination of the terms of the acquisition pursuant to an Order of District Judge Lightman dated 25 February 2013 vesting the freehold interest in the property in the applicant. The tribunal assessed the price of the freehold (to which any arrears or other sums due to the missing landlord under the leases should be added) at £81,638. This case affected 2 flats. The unexpired term was 64.5 years.
I'm selling a flat in White City. I have found my conveyancer's company on the CLC list, but I can't see my conveyancer's name as listed on the regulator's website. Should I be concerned?
Not all staff in the practice must be listed by the regulator. As long there is a manager qualified to 'oversee' the work, the actual day-to-day activity can be undertaken by unqualified staff.