Land Registry

jon783

Hi All,

I'm in the process of trying to buy a leasehold flat, I'm a first time buyer so not sure what I'm doing most of the time. My solicitor has informed me that the freehold and leasehold title plans do not match, and that they should be updated before I buy. The vendor is refusing to even attempt to have these updated, as he says it will be very difficult and doesn't make any difference.

Does anyone know anything about this? Is it difficult/time consuming to have this updated? Is it something I should get sorted before buying? the vendor has been quite difficult throughout this process, and I'm therefore a little concerned that this is an issue and it may be why they are trying to sell.

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

stator

Is the difference significant? Buy the title plan online from Land Registry and take a look

Foxy-Stoat_3

If your solicitor has said that these should match before you can proceed then the vendor will have to get these updated or the lender will not be able to finalize the mortgage.

The vendor will have the same conversation with the next buyer.

Am sure the Estate Agent will be able to explain to the vendor that this will make selling the flat difficult.

G_M

OP does not say he is getting a mortgage. If not, it is his decision whether to proceed.

But given his apparant lack of understanding it would be wise to be advised by his solicior.

jon783

Thanks for your quick responses. I am using a mortgage, unfortunately.
The difference is quite big, they disagree about which block the flat is in, and also where the car parking space is. The estate agent is contacting the vendor, so hopefully she'll be able to sort it out.

Land_Registry

jon783 - that's quite a significant difference and whilst at first glance that sounds like an error on our part I can't quite see why the seller's solicitor would then refuse 'to even attempt to have these updated, as he says it will be very difficult and doesn't make any difference.'

If it's a mistake then it makes a difference and how long it takes to put right depends on the circumstances and whether we have to contact affected parties to resolve.

Whilst in reality the flat cannot be in two places at one time it is not something that can simply be left

jon783

Thanks for you response. That's what I thought, the fact that they won't even try to have it updated suggests there may be something more going on. Hopefully the estate agent can convince them to contact the landlord and try to get it corrected.

jon783

Thanks! I've sent an email (subject line "RE - Money Saving Expert - Incorrect details for property"). Thanks a lot for any help you can provide.

stator

Yes that does sound like rather a significant discrepency

Land_Registry

It looks at first glance as if we have the references to Flats 58 and 59 listed incorrectly on the freehold title - on the face of it that is easily corrected but much depends on whether we have to contact the registered owners and/or mortgage lenders for each flat and/or the freehold title owner.

We may have to also notify those who have recently requested copies of each title, including the seller's solicitor.

If we decide that we do have to notify third parties then this can take a little time but there should be no issues associated with that other than time to receive, acknowledge and move on.

I'll post again once I have any further details but on this point it seems there is perhaps nothing more going on as perhaps felt initially.