Stop! Your Lease Extension in Derby Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Derby 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 Derby 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.

Why you should commence your Derby lease extension


Main reasons to commence your Derby lease extension today:

Increase your lease and increase your Derby property value

Unfortunately that a Derby residential lease is a wasting asset. As the lease term reduces so does the value of the property. The extent of this is not fully appreciated in the early years due to the loss of value being disguised by increases in the Derby property prices.Where your lease has approximately 90 years left, you should start considering a lease extension. An important point to note is that it is desirable for lease extension to take place before the term of the existing lease slips under eighty years - otherwise a higher premium will be due. Most leasehold owners in Derby will be able to extend under the legislation; however a lawyer will be able to clarify if you qualify for an extension. In some situations you may not qualify. There are also strict timeframes and procedures to be adhered to once the process is instigated and you will need to be guided by your lawyer for the duration of the process.

An extended lease has roughly the same value as a freehold

Leasehold premises in Derby with over one hundred years remaining 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 upside in buying the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and maintenance charges merit it.

Lenders will not grant a mortgage on a short lease

The propensity since 2008 has been for banks to tighten lending requirements across the board - this has extended to the types of security over which the home loan is to be granted. This has resulted in the minimum number of years remaining under the lease required by mortgage companies has increased. Historically lenders would lend on a lease with 25 years plus the term of the loan - typically fifty year leases but those requirements have been chipped away by the requirement for longer and longer leases - many use a minimum term of 75 years as a prerequisite.

Lender Requirement
Barnsley Building Society 60 years from the date of the mortgage application subject to 35 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term.
Halifax Minimum 70 years from the date of the mortgage.
Leeds Building Society 85 years remaining from the start of the mortgage.
Lloyds TSB Scotland Minimum 70 years from the date of the mortgage.
Skipton Building Society 85 years from the date of completion of the mortgage

For Buy to Let cases:
- lettings must not breach any of the lessee’s covenants; and
- consent of the lessor to lettings must be obtained if necessary

Why use us for your lease extension in Derby?

Engaging our service gives you increased control over the value of your Derby leasehold, as your property will be more valuable and saleable in respect of lease length should you decide to sell. The conveyancing solicitors that we work with have a wealth of experience of handling many hundreds of lease extensions or freehold purchase transactions.

Derby Lease Extension Case Studies:

Alexandra, Derby, Derbyshire,

Subsequent to lengthy discussions with the landlord of her purpose-built apartment in Derby, Alexandra started the lease extension process as the eighty year threshold was quickly nearing. The lease extension was finalised in September 2011. The freeholder’s charges were kept to an absolute minimum.

Derby case:

In 2011 we were phoned by Mr Blake Scott who, having bought a basement flat in Derby in September 2003. The dilemma was if we could estimate the compensation to the landlord could be for a ninety year lease extension. Comparable homes in Derby with a long lease were valued about £250,000. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £50 collected per annum. The lease ended on 14 October 2095. Taking into account 69 years remaining we estimated the compensation to the freeholder for the lease extension to be between £9,500 and £11,000 not including costs.

Derby case:

Mrs S Lefèvre moved into a ground floor flat in Derby in September 2002. The dilemma was if we could approximate the compensation to the landlord could be to extend the lease by a further 90 years. Comparable homes in Derby with 100 year plus lease were in the region of £290,000. The average amount of ground rent was £60 billed monthly. The lease ran out on 23 May 2106. Given that there were 80 years as a residual term we calculated the compensation to the landlord for the lease extension to be within £13,300 and £15,400 exclusive of costs.