I am soon to exchange on the purchase of a property in Southampton but as a consequence of damage from the recent storms I have was able negotiate recompense from the owner in the sum of £3k in the form of a adjustment in the price. I had intended this to be dealt with as part of a side agreement but Nottingham are not allowing this. Why were they approached?

Any conveyancing practitioner that is on the Nottingham conveyancing panel is required to advise Nottingham of any changes to the purchase price. If you prohibit your conveyancing practitioner to notify the price change to Nottingham then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, Nottingham and you would have to appoint a new conveyancer for your conveyancing in Southampton.

I am the registered owner of a freehold house in Southampton but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Southampton and has limited impact for conveyancing in Southampton 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 many centuries, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Old rentcharges can now be extinguished by making a lump sum payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be dispensed with completely.

How can the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 impact my business offices in Southampton and how can you help?

The 1954 Act gives protection to business lessees, giving them the dueness to make a request to court for a new tenancy and remain in occupation at the end of an expired lease. There are limited grounds that a landlord can refuse a lease renewal and the rules are complicated. Fees are different for commercial conveyancing. Southampton is one of our hundreds of areas of the UK in which our lawyers are based

In my capacity as executor for the estate of my father I am selling a residence in Cardiff but live in Southampton. My lawyer (approximately 235 kilometers from merequires that I sign a stat dec before completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Southampton who can witness and place their company stamp on the document?

strictly speaking you should not need to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or solicitor will do regardless of whether they are based in Southampton

Do you have any advice for leasehold conveyancing in Southampton with the aim of expediting the sale process?

• A significant proportion of the delay in leasehold conveyancing in Southampton can be reduced if you appoint lawyers the minute your agents start advertising the property and request that they start to put together the leasehold information needed by the purchasers’ solicitors.
In the event that you altered the property did you need the Landlord’s permission? In particular have you laid down wooden flooring? Most leases in Southampton state that internal structural alterations or installing wooden flooring require a licence from the Landlord acquiescing to such changes. Should you fail to have the paperwork in place do not communicate with the landlord without checking with your lawyer in advance. If you hold a share in a the Management Company, you should make sure that you hold the original share document. Arranging a duplicate share certificate is often a lengthy process and delays many a Southampton home move. If a reissued share is required, do contact the company officers or managing agents (where applicable) for this at the earliest opportunity. The majority of landlords or Management Companies in Southampton charge for supplying management packs for a leasehold property. You or your lawyers should enquire as to the actual amount of the charges. The management information can be applied for as soon as you have a buyer, thus accelerating the process. The typical amount of time it takes to receive management information is three weeks. It is the most common reason for frustration in leasehold conveyancing in Southampton.

Leasehold Conveyancing in Southampton - A selection of Questions you should consider Prior to Purchasing

Best to be warned whether changing the roof or some other significant cost is anticipated to be shared by the tenants and will materially impact the level of the maintenance charges or result in a one time invoice. In the main the outlay for major works are not included within service charges, albeit that a few managing agents in Southampton require tenants to pay into a sinking fund and this is used to offset against major repairs or maintenance. What prohibitions are there in the Southampton Lease?