House buyer dropped out for second time - leasehold garage

CarolineT218

Thank you so much for this. It's made me feel a bit better about it all just knowing there are people out there who will buy leasehold. I think your point about writing it on the details might be the way to go and that way even if we do put viewers off, they are in no doubt as to what they are getting.

Your point about whether there is another reason is exactly what has got me so stumped. It's also why I've gone back to the EA and demanded they get a detailed answer on why it has happened. They seem to think she has spoken to friends who have told her to stay away from leaseholds and nothing to do with a solicitor's advice. So we'll see what he says when he comes back to me (hopefully if they talk to him). I personally can't understand there being another issue. The only one in our minds has only ever been this garage. There aren't any hidden issues etc. I'm hoping the details we get from the EA and our solicitor might give us a bit more insight.

hazyjo wrote: »

I had a house with 2 LH garages which were underneath a flat. The vendors didn't tell us which was soooo annoying but wasn't enough to make us pull out (we'd lost a couple of houses along the way, and after around a year didn't really want to start looking again for the sake of £100 or so a yea). When we sold, I did make sure it was written on the details. Might have put some people off - but I just wanted to be upfront about it.


I know you've been telling them, but was it actually on the details? Make sure it is for the next time. I also suspect there's another reason.


Is the house definitely FH?


I'd just try again - get it on the market, test the waters, and see if you can get a buyer quickly. Tell the developer, and hope they hang on. You don't have to say it's the same issue, be as vague as you can.


Good luck.


Jx

hazyjo

CarolineT218 wrote: »

Your point about whether there is another reason is exactly what has got me so stumped. It's also why I've gone back to the EA and demanded they get a detailed answer on why it has happened. They seem to think she has spoken to friends who have told her to stay away from leaseholds and nothing to do with a solicitor's advice.

There's your answer - it's all a bit lost in translation. Some people haven't got a bloody clue about leasehold, freehold, or any other sort of hold. She's mentioned LH to one of her mates, and they've heard somewhere along the line not to buy them. But the house is (hopefully) freehold. Unfortunately you can't tell people that their friends are clueless and talking rubbish. The buyer prob didn't understand it all either.


Can't really demand anything of the EA - if the buyer says 'no comment' they have to accept that. No obligation to give any reason.


Jx

maisie_cat

I agree with others regarding selling the house without the garage, I'm sure one of the other neighbours might want an additional garage, my mum got a second garage next to hers that way. Does the lease prevent this happening or indeed it being rented by you? Once buyers start to get jittery over something they often transfer the feeling to somebody who will buy from them in 10 years and worry about resale.

hazyjo

I'd not sell without the garage. It should be linked on the deeds (presuming the house is less than around 15 or so years old as it's very common with fairly new builds) and tbh I'd be more jittery if I found there was a garage with the deal and would be suspicious about why it wasn't mentioned - and it doesn't get away from the fact the buyers will have to pay £55pa which they'll be peed off about if nobody has told them beforehand!

LEJC

Are there any restrictions on the use of the garage within the leasehold...ie can only be used for the purpose of housing a car...which strange as it sounds might put some people off if they wanted to store other things in it....

is it maybe also possible that it's a small garage and won't actually accommodate some of todays larger vehicles....
or is it a case of someone simply looking elsewhere for an included garage when the penny finally drops that every year they need to pay the £55 charge..is that fixed or again is there something in the lease about increases....
some people just see leases as convenient and others just see it as a way to get money out of them and eventually not owning what they are leasing....

Hoploz

I wonder whether it might not be the buyers, but rather their mortgage companies? Sometimes anything slightly out of the ordinary can restrict which lenders will proceed and with which products.

You need your EA to get specifics on the reasons

alihud

Oh no I'm in the process of selling my house that's freehold but has a leasehold garage but I don't pay any extra for it. Didn't even occur to me when I bought the house brand new that the leasehold garage could be an issue,had the survey done today so will have to wait and see. Good luck with getting it sorted out,it's just so stressful all of this!!

westv

Could be just that the buyers are aware of and happy with the situation until the solicitor starts to sow the seeds of doubt as they may like to do.