Selling Probate Property in England: A Comprehensive Guide

Selling Probate Property in England: A Comprehensive Guide

Dealing with the sale of probate property in England can be a challenging and emotionally charged process. Probate properties are those owned by someone who has passed away, and their sale often involves legal complexities and a unique set of considerations. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to successfully sell a probate property in England.

  1. Secure Probate: Before selling a probate property, you need to secure a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. This is the legal document that allows you to act on behalf of the deceased’s estate. It is advisable to consult a solicitor who specialises in probate matters for this crucial step and GoodyBurrett can assist.
  2. Valuation: Obtain a professional valuation of the property. This valuation is essential for calculating inheritance tax, if applicable, and determining the property’s market value.
  3. Legal Requirements: Ensure all legal requirements are met. This may involve clearing any outstanding debts, settling bills, and obtaining the necessary documents to transfer the property’s title.
  4. Choose an Estate Agent: Select a reputable estate agent with experience in handling probate properties. They will help you market the property effectively and navigate the unique challenges associated with these sales.
  5. Preparing the Property: Depending on the property’s condition, you may need to make necessary repairs or at least clean the house prior to sale. Your estate agent can advise you on the best approach.
  6. Marketing and Sales: Your estate agent will list the property and market it to potential buyers. Be prepared for the process to take some time, as probate sales can be more complex and lengthy than regular property transactions.
  7. Offer Acceptance and Completion: Once you receive an offer, you can accept it on behalf of the estate. The completion process involves finalizing legal paperwork, transferring ownership, and settling any remaining financial matters.
  8. Distribution of Proceeds: The sale proceeds will be used to settle outstanding debts, taxes, and the estate’s expenses. The remaining funds will be distributed according to the deceased’s will or, if there is no will, according to intestacy laws.

Selling a probate property can be emotionally challenging, but with careful planning and the guidance of professionals, it can be a manageable process. Consulting with a solicitor and experienced estate agent is crucial to ensure a smooth and legally compliant sale, allowing you to honour the wishes of the deceased and distribute their assets appropriately.

Please contact the Property team at GoodyBurrett with any questions you may have.

For more information

Contact us on 01206 577676 or you can email [email protected]

Navigating the Delays at the Land Registry: What You Need to Know

Navigating the Delays at the Land Registry: What You Need to Know

In an age where technology aims to streamline most processes, the Land Registry, responsible for maintaining property records and ownership information, still grapples with frustrating delays. These delays have been a significant source of frustration for property buyers, sellers, and legal professionals.

Digital Transformation Challenges

One of the primary culprits behind Land Registry delays is the ongoing process of digitization. While this transition promises more efficiency and transparency, it has introduced a steep learning curve for Land Registry staff. Replacing paper-based records with digital systems is a complex endeavour, and it often results in errors, slow data migration, and disrupted workflows.

Resource Constraints

Insufficient staffing and resource allocation further contribute to the delays. Land Registry offices have struggled to keep up with the increasing number of property transactions. This resource gap is exacerbated by the backlog created during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Land Registry offices experienced temporary closures or reduced operating capacity.

Legal and Administrative Hurdles

Complex legal and administrative processes are another reason for delays. Document verification, boundary disputes, and legal challenges can significantly extend the time required to complete transactions. Legal professionals must meticulously navigate these obstacles to ensure the accuracy of property records.

Mitigating Delays

While Land Registry delays are undoubtedly frustrating, there are strategies to mitigate their impact on your property transactions. Consider the following:

  1. Early Planning: Start the registration process well in advance to allow for potential delays.
  2. Professional Expertise: Engage experienced conveyancers or legal professionals who are well-versed in Land Registry procedures.
  3. Online Services: Make use of the Land Registry’s online services where available, as they can expedite certain aspects of the process.
  4. Open Communication: Maintain clear and open lines of communication with all parties involved to ensure that everyone is aligned on timelines and expectations.

In conclusion, while Land Registry delays can be exasperating, they are not insurmountable and by understanding the underlying reasons and taking proactive steps, you can navigate these delays and facilitate smoother property transactions.

Please contact the Property team at GoodyBurrett with any questions you may have.

For more information

Contact us on 01206 577676 or you can email [email protected]

Freehold Estate Rent Charges and their importance

Freehold Estate Rent Charges and their importance

A freehold estate is the highest form of ownership interest in real estate. It grants the owner full ownership rights and control over the property for an indefinite period of time. The owner has the right to sell, lease, or transfer the property as they see fit.

Rent charges, on the other hand, are a type of financial obligation that may be associated with a freehold estate. They are typically annual payments made by the owner of a freehold property to another party, usually a freehold management company. These payments are usually for the upkeep and repair of the common areas of the estate. Rent charges may be established through a legal agreement, such as a deed covenant.

Rent charges can vary in amount and frequency, depending on the terms of the agreement. They are typically outlined in the property’s title deeds, and failure to pay the rent charges can result in legal action or penalties.

If a property owner fails to pay the rent charges as agreed, the party entitled to receive the payments may have several legal remedies available to them. These remedies can vary depending on the specific terms of the rent charge agreement and the relevant laws in the jurisdiction.

Under Section 121 of the Law of Property Act (LPA 1925) there are two remedies available for the Rent Charge Owners in case of non-payment of the rent charge. If the rent charge is no paid for 40 days or more, the Rent Charge Owner has a statutory right to re-enter the property, meaning the Rent Charge owner can take steps to sell the property in order to recover the unpaid amounts and exclude the homeowner from their house. In this case any lender would also lose their security over the property. For this reason many lender will impose additional conditions when lending or refusing to lend altogether when a property is subject to a rent charge.

The second remedy available under section 121 LPA 1925 is the grant of a lease to raise monies to clear the arrears, interest, and costs. This lease will be binding on the property owner and any mortgagees and it can be registered with HMLR. The downside of this remedy is that under LPA 1925 there is no obligation on the Rent Charge Owner to surrender the lease once the amounts to be recovered are paid in full.

The main way to remove the risk of the Rent Charge Owner enforcing the rent charge or the difficulties associated with selling or refinancing, is by way of a Deed of Variation. The Deed can be prepared by solicitors when the property is sold or remortgaged. The alternative way to protect the lender’s interest in the property is to take out an Indemnity Insurance.

It is important for property owners to understand the terms and obligations associated with any rent charges before purchasing a freehold property. Consulting with a property solicitor and reviewing the property’s title documents can provide clarity on the specifics of the rent charges and any remedies that may be available if issues arise.

If you have any question on this topic or would like to discuss your concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Property Team on 01206 577 676 or at [email protected]

For more information

Contact us on 01206 577676 or you can email [email protected]

Severing a Joint Tenancy

Severing a Joint Tenancy

There are two ways in which joint owners might own a property; either as beneficial joint tenants or as tenants in common.

Those owning a property as beneficial joint tenants will own the property in equal shares and on the death of one, their share will automatically pass to the survivor regardless of what it is in their Will. Those owning property as tenants in common can choose to own different proportions e.g. 60% / 40% or 70% / 30% and can specify in their Will what will happen to their share on death.

Many joint owners find that they own their property as beneficial joint tenants without recalling ever being given a choice. Indeed, historically it tended to be the default position in the case of married couples.

Does it matter?

For some, typically couples, the fact that they own as beneficial joint tenants may reflect what they want. If they have each contributed the same amount to the property, or perhaps to the marriage, it may seem just that they do own it 50/50, or ‘straight down the middle’ as it were. They may want everything they own, or at least their most valuable asset to pass to their other half.

However, this isn’t always the case.  

They may want the ownership of the property to reflect their unequal contributions if this be the case.

One owner may have contributed significantly more to the deposit at the outset when buying the property or have paid more of the mortgage. 

One owner may decide that they want their half of the property to go directly to a child; this is often the case in ‘blended families’ with each bringing children of their own to the relationship. If they decide to do this, it needn’t mean that on their death, the surviving owner has to leave the property so it can be sold.  A life interest trust can be set up enabling the surviving owner to live in it until their death- this is known as the trust period. When they die and the trust period ends, the property or its proceeds will pass in accordance with each owner’s Will, or if they haven’t got one, by the rules of intestacy.

What can they do?

Beneficial joint tenants needn’t stay that way. It is possible to sever a joint tenancy and become tenants in common, and it is a relatively straightforward process.

If both owners are content to sever the joint tenancy, they will sign what is known as a Notice of Severance which will be sent to the Land Registry, who will then register a restriction on the title of the property to reflect this.

If only one owner wants to sever the joint tenancy for example because of a relationship breakdown, the owner who does not agree may refuse to sign the Notice of Severance. However, the Land Registry may still register the restriction provided it can be shown that the Notice of Severance was served on the owner that has refused to sign it.

If you have any questions about severing a joint tenancy, please contact the team on 01206 577 676 or email [email protected].

For more information

Contact us on 01206 577676 or you can email [email protected]

The Building Safety Act 2022 – Everything you need to know

The Building Safety Act 2022 – Everything you need to know

The Building Safety Act 2022 recognises the challenges and concerns faced by leaseholders in relation to building safety issues.  It introduced several provisions to protect the rights and interests of leaseholders, particularly those living in high-rise buildings. Here are some ways in which the act safeguards leaseholders:

 

  1. Remediation of Unsafe Cladding: The act places responsibility on building owners to address unsafe cladding on high-rise residential buildings. It establishes a new Building Safety Fund to provide financial support for the removal and replacement of dangerous cladding, ensuring that leaseholders are not burdened with the costs of remediation
  2. Duty of Care: The act imposes a duty of care on building owners and those responsible for building safety This means that they must ensure that buildings are constructed, maintained, and operated in a way that is safe for residents and visitors .Leaseholders can rely on this duty of care to hold accountable those responsible for any breaches of safety standards
  3. Access to Information: The act requires building owners to maintain a comprehensive record of building safety information, known as the “golden thread.” This includes details about the building’s construction, maintenance, and any fire safety measures. Leaseholders have the right to access this information, enabling them to understand the safety measures in place and raise any concerns
  4. Building Safety Charges: The act addresses the issue of unfair and excessive building safety charges imposed on leaseholder. It introduces regulations to ensure that costs related to building safety measures are reasonable, transparent and proportionate
  5. Redress Mechanisms: The act establishes a new Building Safety Regulator that will oversee the implementation and enforcement of building safety standards. This regulator will have the power to investigate complaints, enforce compliance, and take action against those responsible for any failures in building safety.

 

Overall, the Building Safety Act 2022 aims to protect leaseholders by ensuring that buildings are safe providing financial support for remediation, improving access to information and establishing mechanisms for redress in case of safety concerns or non-compliance.

If you are looking to buy or sell a flat please call our conveyancing team on 01206 577676.

For more information

Contact us on 01206 577676 or you can email [email protected]

Lease Extensions

Lease Extensions

If you own a leasehold property in England, it’s essential to know the terms of your lease and how long it’s valid for. Most residential leases have a lifespan of 99 to 125 years, and if you’ve owned your property for a while, the lease may be approaching its end date. When the lease has 80 years or less left to run you need to consider extending your lease.

The first step is to check if you qualify for lease extension under the Leasehold Reform, Housing, and Urban Development Act 1993. To qualify, you must have owned the property for at least two years, and your lease must have originally been for more than 21 years

 If you meet these criteria, you have the legal right to extend your lease by 90 years, and the new lease will be subject to a peppercorn ground rent (i.e., a nominal rent of zero).

To start the process, you’ll need to serve a formal notice on the freeholder, stating your intention to extend the lease. The notice must be in the correct form and contain specific information, such as the proposed premium (i.e., the amount you’ll pay to the landlord to extend the lease) and the date by which the freeholder must respond. It’s essential to get professional advice from a solicitor or surveyor before serving notice, as mistakes can be costly.

Once the freeholder has received the notice, they have two months to respond with a counter-notice.

The counter-notice should either accept your proposed premium or propose a different amount. If the freeholder proposes a different amount, negotiations will begin, and you may need to seek further professional advice. If you agree on the premium, the next step is to complete the lease extension, which involves signing a new lease and paying the premium to the freeholder.

In summary, while extending your residential lease can be a complex and costly process it’s essential if you want to maintain the value of your property. It’s crucial to seek professional advice and ensure you understand the process before proceeding. To get in touch with us, please call our office on 01206 577676 or email [email protected].

For more information

Contact us on 01206 577676 or you can email [email protected]