Just had an offer accepted on a new build apartment in Willen. Conveyancing is daunting at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. What sort of enquires would be asked in new build legal work.

Here are examples of a few leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Willen

If there are lifts in the building, please confirm that the owners of flats on the ground and basement floors will not be required to contribute towards the cost of maintenance and renewal. The Vendor must covenant to keep unoccupied units in good repair until long leases are granted therefore. Please confirm the Lease plans are architect prepared. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified.

I opted to have a survey completed on a property in Willen in advance of instructing solicitors. I have been told that there is a flying freehold aspect to the house. My surveyor has said that some banks may not grant a mortgage on such a house.

It varies from the lender to lender. Bank of Scotland has different instructions from Birmingham Midshires. 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 Willen. Conveyancing will be smoother if you use a solicitor in Willen especially if they are familiar with such properties in Willen.

What does commercial conveyancing in Willen cover?

Commercial conveyancing in Willen incorporates a wide range of guidance, provided by regulated solicitors, relating to business premises. For instance, this type of conveyancing can cover the sale or purchase of freehold business premises or, more commonly, the transfer of existing business tenancies or the drafting of new leasing arrangements. Commercial conveyancing solicitors can also offer advice on the sale of business assets, commercial mortgages and the termination of leases.

Am I best advised to appoint a Willen conveyancing solicitor based in the vicinity that I am buying? We have a good friend who can execute the conveyancing but her office is over three hundred kilometers away.

The benefit of a high street Willen conveyancing practice is that you can attend the office to sign paperwork, deliver your ID and apply pressure on them where appropriate. Having local Willen know how is a plus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust instructed your friend and on the whole were impressed that must surpass using an unknown Willen conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being Willen based.

Can you provide any top tips for leasehold conveyancing in Willen with the purpose of speeding up the sale process?

• A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Willen can be reduced if you appoint lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and ask them to put together the leasehold documentation needed by the purchasers’ representatives.
You may think that you are aware of the number of years left on your lease but you should verify this by asking your conveyancers. A buyer’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 under 80 years. It is therefore important 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 home on the market for sale. A minority of Willen leases require Licence to Assign from the landlord. If this is the case, you should place the estate agents on notice to make sure that the purchasers put in hand bank and professional references. The bank reference will need to confirm that the buyers are 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 actual amount of the service charge so that they can pass this information on to the purchasers or their solicitors. If you have carried out any alterations to the property would they have required Landlord’s permission? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? Most leases in Willen state that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring calls for a licence issued by the Landlord approving such works. If you fail to have the consents in place you should not contact the landlord without checking with your conveyancer first. If you have the benefit of shareholding in the Management Company, you should make sure that you hold the original share certificate. Organising a re-issued share certificate is often a time consuming process and delays many a Willen home move. If a new share is required, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity.

Willen Leasehold Conveyancing - Sample of Questions you should ask Prior to buying

Does this lease have more than 85 years unexpired? How many of the leaseholders are in arrears for their maintenance charge payments?