Stop! Your Lease Extension in Halstead Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Halstead 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 Halstead 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 Halstead lease extension


Main reasons to commence your Halstead lease extension today:

Increase your lease and increase your Halstead property value

The rule of thumb is, all other factors being equal, the shorter the lease the more costly the premium. Qualifying leaseholders in Halstead can extend the lease for a further 90 years under statute. Please think carefully before delaying your Halstead lease extension. Shelving the costs today simply escalates the amount you will eventually be required to pay to extend the lease.

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

Leasehold premises in Halstead with over 100 years left on the lease are often regarded as a ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease is worth the same as a freehold interest in your property. In such circumstances there is often little to be gained by purchasing the freehold unless savings on ground rent and maintenance charges merit it.

Banks and Building Societies may not grant a mortgage with a short lease

Lenders are inclined not grant a mortgage on short residential leases. You are likely to experience problems if you want to sell your flat in Halstead if the unexpired term of your lease is under the criteria set by most lenders. Different lenders have varying requirements but generally they are looking for a minimum remaining lease term of 65 years.

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.
Birmingham Midshires Minimum 70 years from the date of the mortgage.
Chelsea Building Society 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.
Halifax 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

Get in touch with one of our Halstead lease extension solicitors or enfranchisement solicitors

Lease extensions in Halstead can be a difficult process. We recommend you get professional help from a lawyer and surveyor well versed in the legislation and lease extension process.

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 in-depth market knowledge dealing with Halstead lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Halstead Lease Extension Case Summaries:

Daniel, Halstead, Essex

Last year Daniel, started to get close to the eighty-year mark with the lease on his leasehold flat in Halstead. Having purchased his flat two decades ago, the unexpired term was of minimal bearing. by good luck, he realised he needed to take steps soon on a lease extension. Daniel arranged for a lease extension just under the wire last June. Daniel and the freeholder via the managing agents eventually agreed on the final figure of £5,000 . If he failed to meet the deadline, the price would have gone up by at least £975.

Halstead case:

Dr P Phillips completed a one bedroom flat in Halstead in February 2012. We are asked if we could approximate the price could be to prolong the lease by ninety years. Identical flats in Halstead with a long lease were worth £191,000. The mid-range ground rent payable was £65 collected annually. The lease elapsed in 2084. Considering the 58 years unexpired we estimated the premium to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £23,800 and £27,400 exclusive of costs.

Halstead case:

Dr Alex Carter moved into a purpose-built flat in Halstead in August 1999. The dilemma was if we could approximate the compensation to the landlord could be for a ninety year extension to my lease. Comparative properties in Halstead with an extended lease were in the region of £250,000. The average amount of ground rent was £50 billed annually. The lease finished on 2 January 2095. Having 69 years outstanding we approximated the premium to the landlord to extend the lease to be between £9,500 and £11,000 not including expenses.