Stop! Your Lease Extension in Higham Wood Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Higham Wood 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 Higham Wood 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 Higham Wood lease extension


Why you should commence your Higham Wood lease extension today:

Increase your lease and increase your Higham Wood property value

The re-sale value of a leasehold property in Higham Wood is impacted by how long the lease has left to run. If it is close to or less than 80 years you should expect problems on re-sale, so it is advisable to arrange for a lease extension prior to buying. It is preferable to commence the lease extension process when a lease still has 82 years unexpired so that a lease extension can be addressed prior to the 80 year cut off point. Current legislation enables Higham Wood qualifying lessees to a ninety year extension added to their remaining lease term (ie if your lease has 50 years remaining the statutory lease extension will provide a new term of 140 years). The purpose of the valuation is to determine the amount payable by the lessee to the freeholder for the acquisition of the lease extension.

Higham Wood property with a lease extension is almost the same value as a freehold

Leasehold residencies in Higham Wood with over 100 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 circumstances there is often little to be gained by purchasing the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and estate charges justify it.

Mortgage lenders will not lend on a short lease

The propensity since the credit crunch has been for lenders to tighten lending requirements across the board - this has extended to the types of security over which the home loan is to be charged. This has meant the minimum number of years remaining under the lease required by lenders has increased. In the past lenders would grant a mortgage on a lease with 25 years plus the term of the loan - typically fifty year leases but those requirements have been chipped away by the requirement for lengthy leases - many use a minimum term of 75 years as a prerequisite.

Lender Requirement
Bank of Scotland
Barnsley Building Society
Godiva Mortgages
Leeds Building Society
Royal Bank of Scotland

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

Lease extensions in Higham Wood can be a difficult process. We recommend you obtain guidance from a conveyancing solicitor and valuer with experience in lease extensions.

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

Higham Wood Lease Extension Example Cases:

Jayden, Higham Wood, Kent,

Jayden owned a conversion apartment in Higham Wood on the market with a lease of fraction over 59 years outstanding. Jayden on an informal basis approached his landlord a well known Manchester-based freehold company and enquired on a premium to extend the lease. The freeholder indicated a willingness to grant an extension taking the lease to 125 years subject to an increased rent to £200 yearly. Ordinarily, ground rent would not be due on a lease extension were Jayden to invoke his statutory right. Jayden obtained expert legal guidance and was able to make a more informed judgement and handle with the matter and sell the property.

Higham Wood case:

Last year we were phoned by Mr and Mrs. H Lefèvre , who purchased a basement apartment in Higham Wood in November 2009. We are asked if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) price would be for a ninety year lease extension. Identical properties in Higham Wood with a long lease were worth £208,200. The mid-range ground rent payable was £65 billed yearly. The lease ended on 17 April 2087. Having 61 years remaining we estimated the compensation to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £20,000 and £23,000 exclusive of legals.

Higham Wood case:

In 2012 we were approached by Mr Archie Campbell who, having took over the lease of a ground floor flat in Higham Wood in June 2009. The question was if we could estimate the price would likely be to prolong the lease by a further 90 years. Identical properties in Higham Wood with a long lease were valued around £260,000. The average ground rent payable was £50 collected quarterly. The lease lapsed on 5 May 2098. Taking into account 72 years unexpired we estimated the compensation to the landlord to extend the lease to be within £9,500 and £11,000 exclusive of expenses.