Various web forums that I have come across warn that are the main reason for delay in West Beckton conveyancing transactions. Is that correct?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) published determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not figure within the common causes of hindrances in the conveyancing process. Searches are unlikely to feature in any slowing down conveyancing in West Beckton.

Me and my brother purchased a renovated Georgian property in West Beckton. Conveyancing lawyer represented me and Clydesdale. I happened to do a free search for it on the Land Registry database and I saw two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold with the matching address. If a house is not a freehold shouldn't I have been informed?

You need to review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered owner of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in West Beckton and other locations in the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they mortgage they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with buyers. You can also check the situation with the conveyancing lawyer who conducted the conveyancing.

The estate agent has sent us the confirmation of our purchase of a new build apartment in West Beckton. Conveyancing is a frightening process 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 conveyancing.

Here are examples of a selection of leasehold new build questions that you should expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in West Beckton

Has the Lease plan been approved by the Land Registry and if not when will they be lodged for this purpose? 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. Where there is an Undertaking being granted there is the risk of forfeiture of the Headlease subject to relief if one or more of the Underlessees are willing to accept the original Head Lessee’s obligations as otherwise relief will be denied to the Underlessees. The only alternatives are the Head Lessor agreeing not to forfeit the Headlease or the Head Lessee guaranteeing to the Underlessees that it will not be in breach of the Headlease. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Please supply a car parking plan.

Over the last few months I have been searching for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and identified one near me in West Beckton I like with open areas and transport links nearby, however it only has 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in West Beckton suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a mistake buying a short lease?

If you need a mortgage the shortness of the lease will likely be an issue. Reduce the offer by the anticipated lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the current proprietor has owned the property for at least 2 years you can request that they commence the lease extension formalities and pass it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease term with a zero ground rent applied. You should consult your conveyancing lawyer concerning this.

Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in West Beckton from the perspective of speeding up the sale process?

• A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in West Beckton can be avoided where you instruct lawyers as soon as you market your property and ask them to collate the leasehold documentation which will be required by the buyers’ lawyers.
Many landlords or Management Companies in West Beckton levy fees for providing management packs for a leasehold premises. You or your lawyers should find out the actual amount of the charges. The management information sought on or before finding a buyer, thus reducing delays. The typical amount of time it takes to obtain the necessary information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for delay in leasehold conveyancing in West Beckton. If there is a history of any disputes with your landlord or managing agents it is very important that these are resolved before the property is put on the market. The buyers and their solicitors will be nervous about purchasing a flat where a dispute is unsettled. You will have to accept that you will have to pay any arrears of service charge or resolve the dispute prior to completion of the sale. It is therefore preferable to have any dispute settled prior to the contract papers being issued to the buyers’ solicitors. You will still have to reveal details of the dispute to the buyers, but it is clearly preferable to present the dispute as over as opposed to unsettled. In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s consent? Have you, for example installed wooden flooring? West Beckton leases often stipulate that internal structural alterations or laying down wooden flooring necessitate a licence from the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. If you fail to have the approvals to hand do not contact the landlord without checking with your lawyer in advance. If you hold a share in a the freehold, you should make sure that you hold the original share certificate. Obtaining a new share certificate is often a time consuming process and slows down many a West Beckton home move. Where a reissued share certificate is required, do contact the company director and secretary or managing agents (where relevant) for this sooner rather than later.

I have tried to negotiate informally with with my landlord for a lease extension without success. Can one apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal? Can you recommend a West Beckton conveyancing firm to represent me?

Absolutely. We can put you in touch with a West Beckton conveyancing firm who can help.

An example of a Lease Extension case for a West Beckton residence is 46 Credon Road in January 2014. On 11 September 2013 Deputy District Judge Price sitting at the Bow County Court made a vesting order that the freeholder surrender his lease and be granted a new lease of the Premises on such terms as may be determined by the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).The appropriate sum as concluded by the Tribunal was £7225 This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 69.77 years.