On the balance of probabilities where you own a flat in Bedford Hill you actually own a long leasehold interest over your property
Leasehold properties in Bedford Hill with in excess of 100 years unexpired 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 premises. In such situations there is often little upside in purchasing the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and estate charges warrant it.
| 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. |
| Barnsley Building Society | 60 years from the date of the mortgage application subject to 35 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term. |
| National Westminster Bank | Mortgage term plus 30 years. For Shared Ownership, the remaining term of the lease must also be not less than 75 years at the outset of the mortgage. |
| Santander | You must report the unexpired lease term to us and await our instructions if: 1. the unexpired term assumed by our valuer is between 55 and 82 years, but the actual unexpired term differs by more than one year (whether longer or shorter); or 2. the unexpired term assumed by our valuer is more than 82 years but the actual unexpired term is less than 82 years; or 3. no valuation report is provided However, we will not accept a lease where on expiry of the mortgage: (i) less than 50 years remain and all or part of the loan is repaid on an interest-only basis: or (ii) less than 30 years remain and the loan is repaid on a capital and interest basis We will accept a lease that has been extended under the provisions of the Leasehold Reform Act 1993 provided statutory compensation would be available to the leaseholder. |
| Royal Bank of Scotland | Mortgage term plus 30 years. |
Using our service will provide you better control over the value of your Bedford Hill leasehold, as your property will be more valuable and marketable in terms of lease length should you want to sell. The conveyancers that we work with are well versed in the legislation handling many hundreds of lease extensions or freehold purchase transactions.
Hunter was the the leasehold owner of a 2 bedroom apartment in Bedford Hill on the market with a lease of a few days over sixty years outstanding. Hunter informally approached his landlord being a well known Manchester-based freehold company and enquired on a premium to extend the lease. The freeholder was prepared to agree an extension on non-statutory terms taking the lease to 125 years subject to a new rent at the outset set at £200 per annum and increase every twenty five years thereafter. Ordinarily, ground rent would not be payable on a lease extension were Hunter to invoke his statutory right. Hunter obtained expert legal guidance and secured satisfactory resolution without going to tribunal and readily saleable.
In 2009 we were contacted by Mr George Bonnet who, having purchased a purpose-built apartment in Bedford Hill in June 2007. The question was if we could shed any light on how much (approximately) price would likely be for a ninety year lease extension. Similar residencies in Bedford Hill with 100 year plus lease were valued around £227,800. The average ground rent payable was £45 invoiced annually. The lease expiry date was on 1 August 2090. Having 65 years unexpired we estimated the premium to the landlord for the lease extension to be within £13,300 and £15,400 plus costs.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Bedford Hill flat is First Floor Flat 152a Ramsden Road in June 2009. The net result of the tribunals calculation produced a premium payable of £23,975. This case affected 1 flat. The unexpired residue of the current lease was 56.67 years.