SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES - Leasehold Properties

Most of the procedures for selling a house also apply to flats and leasehold houses.  Where the title to your property is leasehold the transaction is a little more complex and normally generates a number of additional enquiries.

The sale of leasehold properties generally takes longer due to the need to obtain additional information from the managing agent or landlord.

If you are selling a leasehold property, the latest receipt for ground rent and any service charges and current buildings insurance policy must be provided.

Rent and Service Charges

If you are selling a leasehold property (e.g. normally a flat or maisonette), the latest receipt for ground rent and any service charges and current Buildings Insurance policy must be provided. If you are buying we will obtain this information from the Sellers’ Solicitor and ensure that the necessary apportionments are made.

What am I letting myself in for with sharing the costs for repairs?

If you are buying a leasehold property, it's imperative that a solicitor looks at the lease as this forms the contract between the leaseholder and the landlord (freeholder) as to the duties and responsibilities of either side.

You should also be supplied with accounts so you can assess expenditure to date, as well as taking into account management fees and what this money is used for.

We will be able to advise you accordingly on all matters connected to buying a leasehold property and it is well worth seeking this opinion - the majority of leases are perfectly straightforward but leaseholders should be alerted to landlords who charge high management charges and fail to maintain their properties to an acceptable standard. Such matters could make it difficult for you to sell the property at a later date and poor repairs will detract from the value of your home.

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