I own a freehold residence in Lee but still invoiced for rent, why is this and what is this?
It’s unusual for properties in Lee and has limited impact for conveyancing in Lee but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.
Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the establishment of fresh rentcharges post 1977.
Previous rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence post 2037 is to be dispensed with completely.
I have Fifty Six years left on my lease and need a lease extension for my flat in Lee. Conveyancing solicitors on the Platform panel can deal with such extensions right?
Most leasehold conveyancing experts should be able to deal with a lease extension. if you are securing a mortgage then your lender may insist that the lease be extended before competition. Platform have specific requirements as set out in the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook in relation to minimum unexpired lease terms. As of 21/6/2025 the requirements read as follows :
How does conveyancing in Lee differ for new build properties?
Most buyers of new build premises in Lee come to us having been asked by the housebuilder to exchange contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is built. This is because builders in Lee usually buy the land, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in Lee or who has acted in the same development.
I am looking for a leasehold apartment up to £305k and found one near me in Lee I like with open areas and railway links in the vicinity, however it only has 61 years on the lease. There is not much else in Lee suitable, so just wondered if I would be making a grave error acquiring a lease with such few years left?
Should you require a home loan the shortness of the lease will likely be problematic. Discount the offer by the amount the lease extension will cost if it has not already been discounted. If the existing owner has owned the property for at least 2 years you may ask them to start the process of the extension and then assign it to you. You can add 90 years to the existing lease with a zero ground rent applied. You should speak to your conveyancing lawyer about this matter.
What tools are available to identify a Lee law firm on the Halifax conveyancing panel? I have wheels and am prepared to travel upto 20kilometers to meet the lawyer.
Feel free to make use of the search on this page. Please pick a mortgage company and your location and you will see a number of Lee conveyancing lawyers locally. We have listed some Lee conveyancing firms towards the end of this page and you can ring them to see if they are on the Halifax panel
My husband and I are novice buyers - agreed a price, but the agent informed us that the seller will only issue a contract if we use their preferred lawyers as they are insisting on a ‘quick sale’. My instinct tells me that we should use a family conveyancer used to conveyancing in Lee
It is improbable the owners are behind this. If they want ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine purchaser is counter productive. Try to communicate with the sellers directly and make sure they comprehend that (a)you are keen to buy (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances arranged © you are chain free (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)however you intend to appoint your preferred Lee conveyancing firm - not the ones that will earn the negotiator at the agency a referral fee or meet his conveyancing figures pre-set by HQ.