The re-sale value of a leasehold property in Robertsbridge depends on how many years the lease has remaining. If it is near to or less than 80 years you should foresee difficulties on re-sale, so it is advisable to arrange for a lease extension prior to purchasing. It is preferable to commence the lease extension process when the lease still has 82 years unexpired so that formalities can be finalised well before the 80 year cut off point. Leasehold Reform legislation entitles Robertsbridge qualifying lessees to an additional term of ninety years in addition to the remaining term, at a notional rent (zero ground rent). The intention of the valuation is to determine the premium payable by the lessee to the freeholder for the acquisition of the lease extension.
Leasehold residencies in Robertsbridge with in excess of 100 years unexpired on the lease are sometimes regarded as a ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease value the same as a freehold interest in your home. In such situations there is often little to be gained by buying the freehold unless savings on ground rent and service charges merit it.
| Lender | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Godiva Mortgages | A minimum of 70 years unexpired lease at completion for all scheme types apart from Lifetime Mortgages (Equity Release), which require a minimum unexpired term of 80 years at completion. |
| Lloyds TSB Scotland | Minimum 70 years from the date of the mortgage. |
| TSB | Minimum of 70 years at mortgage commencement, with 30 years remaining at mortgage redemption. |
| The Mortgage Works | Minimum unexpired lease term is 70 years with 30 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term. Where the unexpired lease term is different to that recorded on the mortgage offer, the following clarifies if we need to be informed: Second hand property: - If the unexpired lease term on the offer is 85 years or more - only advise us if the actual lease term is less than 85 years - if the unexpired lease term on the offer is less than 85 years – advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported - For equity share applications - advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported on the offer New build property: - If the unexpired lease term stated on the offer is 125 years (flat) / 250 years (house) or more - only advise us if the actual lease term is less than 125 years (flat) / 250 years (house) - For equity share applications - always advise us if the actual lease term is different than reported on the offer Lease terms such as ground rent and event fees must be reasonable at all times during the term of the lease and adhere to our requirements below. If you’re unsure as to whether the terms of a lease are unreasonable or onerous, please refer the details to us in plain English for Valuer consideration. If the potentially onerous terms are in relation to the ground rent please include the current ground rent figure per annum, how often it will be reviewed and the price structure it will be reviewed against. See the guidance below. SECOND HAND PROPERTIES Unacceptable - advise Issuing Office (Will be declined): - Unexpired lease term less than 70 years - Less than 30 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term - Ground Rent greater than 0.5% of the property value - Ground Rent doubles less than every 20 years (e.g. doubles every 5, 10 or 15 years) - acceptable if doubles every 20 years or more - Ground Rent is compounded RPI - Ground Rent review period less than or equal to 5 years Refer to Issuing Office (Valuer will consider any impact on valuation figure and marketability): - Unexpired lease term is 70 to 85 years - Ground Rent greater than 0.1% and less than or equal to 0.5% of the property value - Ground Rent escalation is linked to any indices greater than RPI - Ground Rent escalation is linked to the value of the building* - Ground Rent review period is greater than 5 and less than 10 years - Event clauses exist for normal use e.g. changing the carpet, installing a TV aerial etc - Estate Rent Charges greater than £500 p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover) - Service Charges greater than 1.0% of property value p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover) - Anything that appears onerous, unusual or out of the ordinary Acceptable (no requirement to advise Issuing Office): - Unexpired lease term greater than 85 years - Ground Rent less than or equal to 0.1% of the property value - Ground Rent review period greater than or equal to 10 years - Ground Rent escalation less than or equal to RPI NEW BUILD PROPERTIES (includes office conversions) Unacceptable - advise Issuing Office (will be declined): - Unexpired lease term less than 125 years on a new build flat or less than 250 years on a new build house - Any lease which is subject to a ground rent (or annual rent) being charged which is more than on a peppercorn basis - Any lease which is subject to a ground rent (or annual rent) being reviewed and altered on any review basis or methodology Refer to Issuing Office (Valuer will consider any impact on valuation figure and marketability): - Event clauses exist for normal use e.g. changing the carpet, installing a TV aerial etc - Estate Rent Charges greater than £500 p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover) - Service Charges greater than 1.0% of property value p/a (please provide details of what the charges cover) - Anything else appears onerous, unusual or out of the ordinary Acceptable (no requirement to advise Issuing Office): - Unexpired lease term greater than or equal to 125 years on a new build flat or greater than or equal to 250 years on a new build house - A lease subject to a peppercorn ground rent (annual rent) charges For the avoidance of doubt, any new build properties completed but not sold pre 30 June 2022 will only be acceptable if the lease conforms to the above guidance * Where the Ground Rent escalation is linked to the value of the building, please provide the following: - How is the value of the block/unit currently calculated and if the assessment relates to the block(s), how is the Ground Rent calculated/apportioned per property? - The current valuation and Ground Rent for each unit - What is the mechanism for future valuations of the block and how is the Ground Rent calculated/apportioned? - What is the right of appeal? And is this a documented process within the lease? - Who bears the cost of the valuation (and appeal) process? - Confirmation the review period is not less than twenty years LEASE EXTENSIONS We require all lease extensions to be completed under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and to meet the above criteria as a minimum. Where you become aware that it does not meet these requirements, please refer to the Issuing Office |
| Royal Bank of Scotland | Mortgage term plus 30 years. |
Lease extensions in Robertsbridge can be a difficult process. We recommend you obtain professional help from a conveyancing solicitor and valuer 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 a wealth of experience procuring Robertsbridge lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
Last year Jack, came very near to the 80-year mark with the lease on his studio flat in Robertsbridge. In buying his flat 18 years previously, the lease term was of little importance. Thankfully, he recognised he needed to take action soon on a lease extension. Jack extended the lease just in the nick of time in August. Jack and the freeholder via the managing agents ultimately agreed on an amount of £5,500 . If the lease had dipped below eighty years, the amount would have become more exhorbitant by a minimum £1,100.
Mr and Mrs. N Taylor completed a newly refurbished apartment in Robertsbridge in May 2001. The question was if we could estimate the price would be to extend the lease by ninety years. Similar premises in Robertsbridge with an extended lease were in the region of £176,200. The mid-range ground rent payable was £65 collected annually. The lease ended on 25 August 2080. Given that there were 56 years as a residual term we estimated the premium to the freeholder for the lease extension to be within £29,500 and £34,000 plus fees.
In 2009 we were called by Mr and Mrs. E Davies who, having bought a one bedroom flat in Robertsbridge in March 2003. The question was if we could shed any light on how much (approximately) compensation to the landlord would likely be to prolong the lease by 90 years. Comparable residencies in Robertsbridge with 100 year plus lease were worth £242,600. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £45 invoiced quarterly. The lease finished in 2091. Taking into account 67 years remaining we estimated the premium to the freeholder to extend the lease to be within £11,400 and £13,200 exclusive of expenses.