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Heckford Norton Solicitors
Residential Property

 

Moving home is said to be one of life's more stressful experiences! Heckford Norton Solicitors friendly, approachable and professional lawyers aim to reduce the stress and provide an efficient service to ensure the transaction is driven through as smoothly and as quickly as possible. We give high priority to providing a personal service, clear guidance about likely costs, regular updates and legal advice in plain English.

 
 

 

We have a team of lawyers with a wealth of experience dealing with many aspects of residential property. Some of these areas are mentioned below in more detail and there is also a further list of other help we can provide.
Tenancy agreements   Other services
Remortgages      
 

SALES AND PURCHASES

 
Our aim is to achieve a smooth and swift completion of your sale and purchase with the minimum of stress.
 
We will achieve this in the most effective and cost efficient manner possible.
 
Where a transaction for any reason is not straight forward or is particularly complex we are confident that our experienced team of lawyers will be able to provide the expertise required to help you through.

 

We will co-ordinate the whole transaction for you, liaising with the main parties involved including the buyers and sellers solicitors, the estate agents, your lender and surveyor.
 
We can advise on the options for Co-ownership and what may best suit you.
 
There may be certain tax issues to be considered including Stamp Duty, Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax with which we will be pleased to assist you.
 
On your purchase we will carry out all necessary searches and enquiries and send a detailed report to you before contracts are exchanged and you are legally committed.
 

On your sale we will obtain your deeds, prepare a contract for the Buyer's Solicitors approval and deal with their enquiries and report to you with the contract to sign.
 
On both your sale and purchase we will carry out all work promptly and efficiently reporting to you at all stages of the transactions.
 
For a quote please complete and return the Information Request Form.
 
 
GIFTS
Whether the gift of the entire property or a share in it is proposed we can advise you about this and discuss the issues involved including:
 
The tax implications including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and stamp duty.
 
Considerations where the property is subject to a mortgage.
 
Protection of family assets to avoid claims being made against them.
 
Where appropriate any new arrangements for the joint ownership of the property.
 
TENANCY AGREEMENTS
We can assist you with the purchase of Buy to Let properties, prepare the letting agreement and provide legal advice and backup to protect your position. Our advice on letting your property will include:
 
The length of the term of the letting agreement.
 
The Tenants obligations and the Landlords duties.

 

The procedures for bringing the tenancy to an end and getting vacant possession.
 
Advice on landlord and tenant disputes including court proceedings for non payment of rent, breach of obligations and possession of the property.
 
 
REMORTAGES
Where you wish to remortgage your property to raise new or additional finance we are able to help you.
 
We will apply for your deeds and carry out any necessary searches as quickly as possible.
 
We will advise you on the terms of your mortgage.
 
We will complete your new mortgage and release any net mortgage funds to you as soon as we can.
 
LEASEHOLD PROPERTIES
Because of the law affecting the ownership of property whilst houses invariably tend to be freehold, flats and apartments are usually leasehold. Leaseholds can be more complex and it is important that the lease is properly checked for you. Our work for you would include:
 
Reviewing the terms of the lease including the length of the term, amount of ground rent, Tenants obligations, service charge provisions, building insurance position, repairing obligations and the Landlords obligations.
 
Checking the lease both for you and your Lender to ensure that it meets with all necessary legal requirements and is not defective or unenforceable in anyway.
 
Checking on the management of the apartments/flats to ensure that they are properly managed.
 
Ascertaining the current level of charges payable by the Tenant, including ground rent, service charge and buildings insurance contribution.
 
Advising on the possibilities of extending the term of the lease.
 
Agreeing the appropriate apportionments of service charges and other payments under the lease and notifying the Landlord and Management Company of your purchase of the property.
 
 
COMMONHOLD PROPERTIES
Commonhold is an entirely new concept (2003) to the method of owning flats which applies to both residential and commercial developments. Instead of having a lease an occupier of a 'unit' on a development will have a commonhold unit which will be similar to a freehold title. The Landlord is replaced by a commonhold association, a private company limited by guarantee, with members consisting of 'unit holders' (the flat owners) which control the management, maintenance, repair and servicing of the building.
 

OTHER SERVICES
Heckford Norton can also help with the following:

 
Environmental   Access to neighbours land
Mortgages   Squatters rights
Investment and buy to let   Rights of way
Transfers of equity   Party wall agreements
Boundary and other property disputes   Property rights and obligations
Trusts   Access over village greens and commons
 

For more information please complete and return the Information Request Form or contact:

 

Mark Carter, Partner & Head of Residential Property
Saffron Walden Office
email:mcc@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01799 522636

  Brian Purser, Partner
Letchworth office
email:blp@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01462 682244
 

Richard Luckes, Partner
Saffron Walden office
email:rjl@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01799 522636

  Jane Watson, Conveyancing Executive
Saffron Walden office
email:jw@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01799 522636
 

Jodi Ross, Conveyancing Executive
Letchworth office
email:jar@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01462 682244

 

Marian Yates, Solicitor
Stevenage office
email:my@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01438 312211

 

Michelle Troupe, Solicitor
Stevenage office
email:mt@heckfordnorton.co.uk
tel. 01462 312211

 
 

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