Stop! Your Lease Extension in Headington Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Headington 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 Headington 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.

Why you should start your Headington lease extension


Why you should commence your Headington lease extension today:

Increase your lease and increase your Headington property value

The market value of a leasehold property in Headington is impacted by how many years the lease has left to run. If it is close to or less than 80 years you should anticipate problems on re-sale, so it is advisable to arrange for the lease to be extended prior to purchasing. It is ideal to start the lease extension process when a lease still has 82 years unexpired so that formalities can be addressed in advance of the 80 year mark. Leasehold Reform legislation entitles Headington qualifying lessees to acquire a lease extension of 90 years in addition to the remaining lease term at a peppercorn rent (that is, rent free). The reason of the valuation is to arrive at an opinion of the amount payable by the lessee to the freeholder for the purchase of the lease extension.

An extended lease is almost the same value as a freehold

Leasehold properties in Headington with over one hundred years left on the lease are often referred to as ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease is worth the same as a freehold interest in your home. In such circumstances there is often little to be gained by purchasing the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and service charges warrant it.

Lending institutions will not issue a mortgage on a short lease

Banks and building societies are really clamping down as regards to properties in Headington with short leases. For example you may find that their lending criteria are stricter and that they alter interest rates depending on the unexpired lease term. Some may even refrain from lending completely, so where you wanted to sell, your remaining options would be to find a cash buyer, or hope for the best at auction thus restricting your market.

Lender Requirement
Barclays plc
Chelsea Building Society
Nationwide Building Society
Santander
The Mortgage Works

Get in touch with one of our Headington lease extension solicitors or enfranchisement solicitors

Lease extensions in Headington can be a difficult process. We recommend you get guidance from a conveyancing solicitor 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 Headington lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Headington Lease Extension Example Cases:

Callum, Headington, Oxfordshire

Last year Callum, came very near to the 80-year threshold with the lease on his basement apartment in Headington. In buying his flat 19 years ago, the length of the lease was of little concern. Luckily, he became aware that he would imminently be paying way over the odds for a lease extension. Callum was able to extend his lease just under the wire in September. Callum and the freeholder subsequently settled on an amount of £5,500 . If he failed to meet the deadline, the sum would have become more exhorbitant by a minimum £975.

Headington case:

In 2014 we were contacted by Mr and Mrs. I Davies who, having moved into a one bedroom apartment in Headington in June 2012. The question was if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) price would likely be for a ninety year extension to my lease. Identical premises in Headington with 100 year plus lease were valued about £275,000. The average ground rent payable was £55 collected every twelve months. The lease termination date was on 14 May 2102. Taking into account 76 years outstanding we calculated the compensation to the freeholder for the lease extension to be within £9,500 and £11,000 exclusive of legals.

Headington case:

In 2011 we were contacted by Mr and Mrs. G Clark who, having took over the lease of a first floor flat in Headington in November 2011. We are asked if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) price would be to extend the lease by an additional years. Comparative properties in Headington with 100 year plus lease were in the region of £176,200. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £65 invoiced per annum. The lease end date was in 2082. Considering the 56 years as a residual term we calculated the premium to the freeholder to extend the lease to be within £29,500 and £34,000 plus legals.