Chippenham Lease Extension - Free Consultation

Before you progress with your lease extension in Chippenham
Get a quote from one of our lease extension experts with over 20 years experience.

Let them guide you for FREE on the various options available to you.

It may end up saving you thousands.

Main reasons to commence your Chippenham lease extension


Top reasons for lease extension now:

A Chippenham leasehold property depreciates with the years remaining on the lease.

Unfortunately that a Chippenham 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 deflation being disguised by increases in the Chippenham property prices.Where your lease has approximately ninety years left, you should start thinking about a lease extension. If lease term drops below 80 years, you will end up paying 50% of the property's 'marriage value' in addition to the usual cost of the lease extension to the landlord. Marriage value is the amount of extra value that a lease extension will add the property The majority of leasehold owners in Chippenham will be able to extend under the legislation; however a lawyer should be able to confirm whether you qualify for an extension. In some cases you may not be entitled. There are also strict timeframes and procedures to follow once the process is instigated and you will need to be guided by your conveyancing solicitor for the duration of the process.

An extended lease is almost the same value as a freehold

Leasehold residencies in Chippenham with in excess of one hundred years remaining on the lease are sometimes referred to as ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease is worth the same as a freehold interest in your property. In such situations there is often little to be gained by purchasing the freehold unless savings on ground rent and service charges justify it.

Lending institutions will not issue a mortgage on a short lease

The definition of a short lease varies by mortgage company, yet lending institutions start to get jittery at around 75 years. This may be problematic when you wish to dispose of or refinance your flat as it will be practically unmortgageable. Even though you might not have an immediate plan to sell but when you do your purchaser must hold off for a couple of years before they can commence the legal procedures for a lease extension.

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.
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;
Leeds Building Society 85 years remaining from the start of the mortgage.
TSB Minimum of 70 years at mortgage commencement, with 30 years remaining at mortgage redemption.

Why use us for your lease extension in Chippenham?

Lease extensions in Chippenham can be a difficult process. We recommend you secure guidance from a conveyancer 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 in-depth market knowledge procuring Chippenham lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Chippenham Lease Extension Example Cases:

Alicia, Chippenham, Wiltshire,

Following unsuccessful correspondence with the freeholder of her studio flat in Chippenham, Alicia commenced the lease extension process as the 80 year mark was rapidly coming. The legal work was concluded in April 2007. The landlord’s charges were kept to an absolute minimum.

Chippenham case:

Mr Harvey Cook moved into a garden apartment in Chippenham in March 2000. We are asked if we could estimate the price could be to prolong the lease by ninety years. Similar homes in Chippenham with 100 year plus lease were in the region of £200,800. The average amount of ground rent was £65 billed quarterly. The lease lapsed on 14 April 2085. Given that there were 60 years unexpired we approximated the compensation to the landlord for the lease extension to be within £20,900 and £24,200 plus fees.

Chippenham case:

Last year we were called by Dr Thomas Evans , who acquired a one bedroom apartment in Chippenham in September 2011. We are asked if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) compensation to the landlord would likely be for a 90 year extension to my lease. Similar homes in Chippenham with 100 year plus lease were in the region of £255,000. The mid-range ground rent payable was £50 invoiced annually. The lease termination date was in 2096. Given that there were 71 years as a residual term we calculated the compensation to the freeholder for the lease extension to be within £9,500 and £11,000 plus expenses.