Buying a freehold garage on leasehold land

macadamia_2

It's not often that garages become available round here but there's one for sale at the moment. It's at the back of a block of flats and to get to the garage one has to walk over the leasehold area. The seller says that he has never had to pay any charges during the past 6 years.

I can ask a solicitor but that's going to cost me lots so initially can someone please give me their opinion. I'm in London.

Thanks

lincroft1710

Only the deeds would tell you about rights of access and any charges thereon.

macadamia_2

Thanks Lincroft. Am I within my rights to ask to see the deeds if I am serious about purchasing the garage?

lincroft1710

Of course you can ask, seller may refuse, which may indicate not so clear-cut. If the property registered with Land REgistry, you can download deeds for a small fee.

macadamia_2

Thanks again. You just reminded about this service and I've done that.

G_M

I'm unclear:

* is the garage currently freehold? Is it the freehold you are buying?
* or is the garage leasehold? In which case are you buying the lease, and/or the freehold?
* this access area you walk over - who owns a) the freehold to that land and b) the leasehold to it?
* presumably there is also some vehicular access? Is that a diffenent direction to the 'walk over' land? Does it lead directly to the highway, or is there yet more land owned by someone else?

You should start by buying the Freehold Title and Plan (£3 each), and the Leasehold Title and Plan (£3 each) for

* the garage
* the land you need towalk over
* any land you need to drive over to get to the public highway