Case study: purchase of 4 year old home on an estate from the first owners

30+ years qualified solicitor and founder Julie West explains issues that crop up when buying a house on an estate, especially where the estate was built recently

Buying a property on a private estate should give you control over shared spaces, limits on building/noise/use, plus shared services and maintenance.  However, these schemes are complex and title defects with individual properties damagethe value of the whole.

Defective documents and impossible deadline

Terms were agreed and all seemed straightforward. But we discovered that the original transfer deed omitted to grant a right of way over the private road. Then we found that all the original transfers for the estate were defective. Our solicitors had to contact the original developer to organise a deed of variation. The seller imposed an impossible deadline and this could only be achieved if we took the initiative and drafted the documents.

Managing agents employed by the estate supplied inaccurate and misleading information, and imposed requirements for documentation that our deeper investigation showed to be wholly unnecessary.

What’s more, a restriction on the title required third party consent before we could register change of ownership at Land Registry. That third party was a company intended to manage the estate and a SUDS - sustainable urban drainage system. This company was unresponsive for weeks.

Our solicitors has to make a case to Land Registry for the restriction to be disapplied due to inactivity on the part of the company.

Deadline met and defect cured

Julie West

Founder, 30+ years qualified property solicitor

Our clients were able to meet the deadline and secure the property because our solicitors cracked on with tackling every legal issue.

We also cured a serious title defect that would otherwise have caused major problems with a future sale or mortgage.

“We are in and very happy! I just wanted to thank you for making a potentially stressful process really as painless as it can be!”

— Joanna, Leatherhead

Cash boost for first time buyers stamp duty land tax discount

First time buyers have been given a boost in the Budget announced today with a discount on stamp duty land tax for properties with a value of up to £500,000.  JWS solicitor Emma West explains...
 

What is stamp duty land tax (SDLT)?

SDLT is a tax you pay on completion of your purchase of a property (whether freehold, leasehold or transfer of part).

SDLT is calculated in percentage bands on the value of the property above the threshold of £125,000 for residential properties.

Standard SDLT rates:

Standard rates for those who have bought a home before or who will not qualify for first time buyer rates are as follows:

Tax on value up to £125,000 = zero
Tax on value £125,001 to £250,000 = 2%
Tax on value £250,001 to £925,000 = 5%
Tax on value £925,001 to £1.5 million = 10%
Tax on remaining amount above £1.5 million = 12%
What are the new rates for first time buyers?

You will qualify for SDLT relief if you are buying your first home, you complete your purchase on or after 22 November 2017 and the value of the property you are buying is less than £500,000.

The new rates are as follows:

Tax on value of property up to £300,000 = zero
Tax on value of property £300,001 to £500,000 = 5%
 
This means first time buyers that complete their purchase from today will qualify for an SDLT saving of up to £5,000.

Emma West - solicitor, operations and strategy

“As a solicitor acting for many first time buyers, as well as having experienced being a first time buyer myself, this is great news.  First time buyers are under immense pressure to find cash to cover their deposit, legal fees and moving costs.  When you have spent time budgeting, saving and counting each penny - every little helps!

This initiative from the government, as well as others such as lenders favouring cash back over “free legals”, will free up cash for first time buyers to invest in quality legal advice that will ease the process of buying and protect their investment for the future.”

— Emma West, Solicitor

Use the HM Revenue and Customs calculator to calculate your SDLT saving: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro

Case study: acting on the sale or purchase of a freehold reversion

30+ years qualified solicitor and founder Julie West explains issues that crop up during sale or purchase of a freehold reversion

Sometimes leaseholders buy the freehold from their landlord. We have experience of acting for both leaseholders and landlord in this situation. We have a detailed knowledge of the law as well as the ability to manage a major project. 

Where we got involved

In one case involving 6 flats built over commercial premises we got involved because the landlord wanted to dispose of the freehold and the leaseholders had a statutory right to acquire it. A landlord that disposes of the freehold must comply with a statutory procedure.

In another case a majority of leaseholders called on the landlord to sell its freehold interest to them. The leaseholders collectively engaged JWS to acquire the freehold on their behalf. This involved initial advice, preparing and serving the required notices, preparing the transfer documentation, and using an existing residents’ owned management company to buy the freehold interest. 

In a third example a handful of leaseholders whose own leases derived from an intermediate head lease combined to buy the freehold reversion by private negotiation from the original builder. Leaseholders were not all in a position to participate in buying the freehold. We needed to devise a means for future leaseholders to buy into the freehold at a later date.

How we made progress

Whether acting for the freeholder or one of numerous leaseholders, we investigated the legal position, analysed the facts and applied the law. Paying attention to detail we identified and observed important timeframes so that no rights were lost.

Individual leaseholders that took a lead role in these procedures valued the fact that we are local, so that consultations could easily be arranged to iron out the details and ensure smooth progression.

We managed the costs, a major aspect of the job, as well as holding the leaseholders’ financial contributions in a secure client account.

Added value

Julie West

Founder, 30+ years qualified property solicitor

Freeholder complied with the procedures for notifying qualifying leaseholders of a proposed sale and completed the sale of the freehold confident in the knowledge that the transaction could be challenged. With our help the transaction was secure.

With our expert guidance leaseholders seized the opportunity presented by the freeholder giving notice of an intended sale to exercise their right to buy the freehold, thereby taking control and becoming able to manage their development themselves.

Leaseholders found themselves in a position to waive or even terminate ground rent provisions in their leases. More importantly the leaseholders acting collectively were in a position to agree to extend their leases, thereby eliminating the risk of having to shell out wads of cash in the future for a lease extension.

“Client quote...”

Secrets of a conveyancer: how to foil criminals and protect your property from fraud

In this edition of "secrets of a conveyancer", 30+ years qualified solicitor Celia Perry shares some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from property fraud

Its a jungle out there

don't let fraudsters get the better of you

In these days of increasing property values, it should be no surprise that criminals are on the look out for opportunities to target these valuable assets.

Relevant to all property owners, but particularly to those with rental properties, a holiday home or executors managing a property that forms part of a deceased person's estate, here are six steps you can take to make sure you do not become a victim of property fraud:

Step 1: check and update Land Registry address for service

Check the title information Land Registry hold for your property to make sure your address for service is up to date so you do not miss any important communication about your ownership of the property.

Make sure you change your address for service each and every time you move.  

You can even include an email address in addition to a postal address.

Find out more about updating your address for service on Land Registry's website at this link.

Step 2: inspect regularly

If you don't live at the property make sure you or some you trust inspects the property on a regular basis. 

Recently a landlord only found out his enterprising tenant had put the house he was renting up for sale in his own name when the landlord drove past the house and saw a "for sale" sign outside...

Step 3: set up Land Registry property alert

Using just the title number of your property and an email address, Land Registry will allow you to monitor up to ten properties without any charge.

Once you have registered Land Registry will send you an email if there is certain activity or changes to the information Land Registry holds about the property.

It is worth knowing that you do not have to live at or own the property to use this service.  If you have elderly relatives who own a property and are concerned they may be vulnerable, you can set up an alert for their property too.  Land Registry will not tell the property owner that an alert has been set up.

Step 4: make an application for first registration 

If you own a property where the title is not registered at Land Registry you should make an application for first registration.

Until a property is registered, Land Registry will not have any contact details for the owner.  Giving Land Registry your details makes fraudulent activity more difficult.

An advantage of registration is that if you are an innocent victim of fraud and suffer financial loss you may be eligible for compensation from Land Registry.

Step 5: beware of emailed bank details

Emails are constantly under attack from fraudsters hoping to insert their own bank details in your communications to divert funds away from you.

Always check bank details before you send money by ringing the recipient on a number you have used before. Try devising your own set of "security questions".  

Celia Perry

30+ years qualified residential property solicitor

Step 6: if you suspect it report it

If you suspect any fraudulent activity or an attempted scam contact the Land Registry on the dedicated fraud line 0300 006 7030 (Monday to Friday) or email Land Registry at reportafraud@landregistry.gov.uk and also report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (24 hours).

Contact Julie West Solicitor

The Julie West Solicitor team have many years of property experience and can give you further guidance on other steps you can take to protect your property from fraud.  Speak to one of our expert team today by calling 01372 383273.