Unfortunately that a Chigwell residential lease is a wasting asset. The lease value drops in proportion to its lease length. The extent of this is taken for granted in the first few years due to the reduction being disguised by increases in the Chigwell property prices.Once your lease nears 85ish years, you need to start thinking about a lease extension. If the number of years remaining dips under eighty years, you will then be required to pay half of the property's 'marriage value' on top of the usual cost of the lease extension to the landlord. The marriage fee is the amount of additional value that a lease extension will add the property The majority of leasehold owners in Chigwell will be able to extend under the legislation; however a conveyancer should be able to clarify if you qualify for an extension. In some situations you may not qualify. There are also strict timetables and procedures to be adhered to once the process is instigated and you will need to be guided by your lawyer throughout the process.
It is generally accepted that a property with over 100 years unexpired lease term is worth roughly the equivalent as a freehold. Where an further 90 years added to any lease with more than 45 years left, the residence will be worth the same as a freehold for many years in the future.
| Lender | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 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 should be declined (see exception below). Leases with greater than 70 years but fewer than 85 years remaining must be referred to issuing office. 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; |
| Coventry Building Society | 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. |
| 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. |
Lease extensions in Chigwell 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 a wealth of experience procuring Chigwell lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
Following unsuccessful negotiations with the landlord of her purpose-built apartment in Chigwell, Georgina commenced the lease extension process as the eighty year threshold was quickly nearing. The transaction was finalised in July 2005. The landlord’s charges were kept to an absolute minimum.
In 2012 we were phoned by Ms Ella Adams who, having completed a one bedroom apartment in Chigwell in June 2009. We are asked if we could estimate the premium could be to prolong the lease by 90 years. Comparable flats in Chigwell with a long lease were worth £198,400. The average amount of ground rent was £65 invoiced yearly. The lease ended on 12 June 2084. Having 59 years left we estimated the compensation to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £21,900 and £25,200 exclusive of expenses.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement case for a Chigwell property is 201 & 201a St. Barnabas Road in October 2013. The Tribunal decided that the price to be paid by the Applicants for the freehold interest is £20,071. This case was in relation to 2 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 69.26 years.