Stop! Your Lease Extension in Bexley Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Bexley are unaware that their original lawyer had a duty to warn them about future mortgageability and saleability issues. Before you pay thousands to your freeholder, let us audit your purchase history. You might have a claim that pays for your lease extension in full

If you are facing a significant premium because your lease in Bexley has dropped toward the 80-year mark, your previous lawyer may be at fault. Our panel of experts specialise in recovering lease extension costs from negligent firms who failed to protect your investment.

Top reasons for Bexley lease extension


Top reasons for lease extension now:

A Bexley lease depreciates with the years remaining on the lease.

Bexley residential property owned on a long lease is a depreciating asset because a leaseholder only owns the property for a set term.

Bexley property with a lease extension is almost the same value as a freehold

Leasehold properties in Bexley with over one hundred years unexpired on the lease are often referred to as ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease is worth the same as a freehold interest in your premises. In such situations there is often little to be gained by purchasing the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and estate charges justify it.

Mortgage lenders may decide not to grant a mortgage with a short lease

Most high street banks are making their criteria more stringent and many now require flats to have at least 60 if not 70 years left at the end of the mortgage. As a number of flats in Bexley were created in the fifties, sixties and seventies this means many now need to be extended if they wish to get a mortgage.

Lender Requirement
Accord Mortgages 85 years from the date of completion of the mortgage. Please ensure that you explain the implications of a short term lease to the borrower.
Bank of Scotland Minimum 70 years from the date of the mortgage.
Barclays plc Leases with less than 70 years at the commencement of the mortgage are not acceptable.

Leases with fewer than 70 years should only be referred to the issuing office where the following scenario applies, as discretion may be applied subject to bank approval:

• Property is located in any of the following prestigious developments: Cadogan, Crown, Grosvenor, Howard de Walden, Portman or Wellcome Trust Estates in Central London AND
• The value of the property subject to the short remaining term is £500,000 or more AND
• The loan to value does not exceed 90% for purchases, 90% like for like re-mortgages, 80% for re-mortgages with any element of capital raising and 80% for existing Barclays mortgage borrowers applying for additional borrowing;
TSB Minimum of 70 years at mortgage commencement, with 30 years remaining at mortgage redemption.
Royal Bank of Scotland Mortgage term plus 30 years.

What makes us experts in Bexley lease extensions?

Lease extensions in Bexley can be a difficult process. We recommend you obtain professional help from a lawyer and surveyor with experience in this area.

We provide you with an expert from a selection of lease extension solicitors, which ensures a targeted and efficient service as you have a dedicated port of call with an individual lawyer. Our lease extension solicitors have a wealth of experience dealing with Bexley lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Bexley Lease Extension Case Summaries:

Aaron, Bexley, South East London,

Aaron was the the leasehold proprietor of a high value flat in Bexley on the market with a lease of fraction over 72 years outstanding. Aaron on an informal basis approached his freeholder a well known Bristol-based freehold company and enquired on a premium to extend the lease. The landlord indicated a willingness to grant an extension taking the lease to 125 years subject to a new rent to start with set at £200 per annum and doubled every twenty five years thereafter. No ground rent would be due on a lease extension were Aaron to exercise his statutory right. Aaron obtained expert legal guidance and was able to make a more informed decision and handle with the matter and readily saleable.

Bexley case:

Mr P Khan owned a recently refurbished apartment in Bexley in October 2003. The question was if we could shed any light on how much (approximately) premium would be to extend the lease by 90 years. Identical flats in Bexley with a long lease were in the region of £280,000. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £45 invoiced yearly. The lease lapsed on 11 May 2096. Having 70 years remaining we calculated the compensation to the landlord to extend the lease to be within £12,400 and £14,200 plus fees.

Decision in Greenwich

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Bexley property is 103a Footscray Road in January 2014. The tribunal determines that the premium payable for the extended lease should be £34,500 according to the expert witness valuation calculation This case affected 1 flat.