Stop! Your Lease Extension in Chislehurst Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Chislehurst 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 Chislehurst 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.

Top reasons for Chislehurst lease extension


Why you should commence your Chislehurst lease extension today:

A Chislehurst lease depreciates with the years remaining on the lease.

Unfortunately that a Chislehurst 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 first few years due to the reduction being disguised by increases in the Chislehurst property market.Where your lease has approximately 90 years left, you should start thinking about a lease extension. If lease term dips below eighty years, you will end up paying half 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 additional value that a lease extension will add the property The majority of leasehold owners in Chislehurst will be able to extend under the legislation; however a lawyer should be able to confirm if you are eligibility. In some situations you may not qualify. There are also strict timetables and procedures to be adhered to once the process has commenced and you will need to be guided by your conveyancer throughout the formalities.

An extended lease is almost the same value as a freehold

Leasehold premises in Chislehurst 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 property. In such situations there is often little upside in purchasing the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and maintenance charges justify it.

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

Banks and building societies vary in their lending criteria. Some set the bar at seventy five years remaining on the lease; others may be happy with anything with more than 70 years. With less than sixty years, it may be impossible to get a mortgage in the first place.

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

Why use us for your lease extension in Chislehurst?

Lease extensions in Chislehurst can be a difficult process. We recommend you procure guidance from a conveyancer and surveyor with experience in this area.

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 Chislehurst lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Chislehurst Lease Extension Case Studies:

Harry, Chislehurst, South East London

Last Winter Harry, started to get near to the 80-year mark with the lease on his purpose- built flat in Chislehurst. In buying his home two decades ago, the unexpired term was of little bearing. Fortunately, he noticed he would soon be paying an escalated premium for Extending the lease. Harry arranged for a lease extension just under the wire in August. Harry and the freeholder in the end agreed on an amount of £6,000 . If he not met the deadline, the price would have become more exhorbitant by a minimum £1,075.

Chislehurst case:

Mr and Mrs. S Howard completed a recently refurbished flat in Chislehurst in July 2006. We are asked if we could estimate the price would be for a 90 year lease extension. Comparative residencies in Chislehurst with an extended lease were in the region of £181,600. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £55 collected quarterly. The lease ended in 2078. Having 52 years outstanding we estimated the premium to the freeholder to extend the lease to be within £30,400 and £35,200 exclusive of professional charges.

Decision in Bromley

An example of a Lease Extension matter before the tribunal for a Chislehurst property is 70 Andace Park Gardens 133-149 Widmore Road in November 2013. Tribunal determined that the premium payable for the lease extension was £10,052 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 72 years.