Stop! Your Lease Extension in Petworth Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Petworth 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 Petworth 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 commence your Petworth lease extension


Why you should start your Petworth lease extension today:

Increase your lease and increase your Petworth property value

Petworth leases on domestic deteriorating in value. Where your lease has about ninety years remaining, you should start thinking about a lease extension. It is important to recognise that it is that it is desirable for your lease extension to take place before the term of the current lease dips under 80 years - otherwise a higher amount will be due. Flat owners in Petworth will usually qualify for a lease extension; however It would be wise to check with a conveyancer to confirm your eligibility. In some situations you may not be entitled. There are prescribed timetables and steps to comply with once the process has commenced so it’s wise to be guided by a conveyancer during the process.

An extended lease has roughly the same value as a freehold

Leasehold residencies in Petworth with more than 100 years left 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 premises. In such situations there is often little upside in purchasing the freehold unless savings on ground rent and estate charges justify it.

Mortgage lenders may decide not to issue a mortgage with a short lease

The definition of a short lease depends on the specific mortgage company, yet banks and building societies start to get nervous at around 75 years. This may be problematic as and when you wish to market or remortgage your property as it will be effectively unmortgageable. Even though you might have no imminent desire to sell but when you do your buyer must wait a couple of years before being able to start 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.
Barnsley Building Society 60 years from the date of the mortgage application subject to 35 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term.
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.
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.
Virgin 85 years at the time of completion. If it's less, we require it to be extended on or before completion.

What makes us experts in Petworth lease extensions?

Irrespective of whether you are a tenant or a freeholder in Petworth,the lease extension experts that we work with will always be willing to discuss any residential leasehold matters and offer you the benefit of their in-depth market knowledge and the close ties they enjoy with Petworth valuers.

Petworth Lease Extension Case Summaries:

Bethany, Petworth, West Sussex,

Trailing lengthy discussions with the freeholder of her purpose-built apartment in Petworth, Bethany commenced the lease extension process as the 80 year threshold was swiftly coming. The lease extension was concluded in August 2008. The freeholder’s fees were restricted to about 500 GBP.

Petworth case:

In 2011 we were approached by Mr F Gunderson who, having was assigned a lease of a garden apartment in Petworth in July 1997. The question was if we could estimate the premium would be to prolong the lease by a further 90 years. Similar premises in Petworth with an extended lease were in the region of £216,000. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £60 collected monthly. The lease lapsed in 2084. Having 58 years as a residual term we estimated the compensation to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £28,500 and £33,000 plus fees.

Petworth case:

Last Winter we were e-mailed by Dr N Hill , who purchased a purpose-built apartment in Petworth in July 2004. We are asked if we could shed any light on how much (approximately) price could be to extend the lease by ninety years. Comparative premises in Petworth with an extended lease were worth £200,000. The average ground rent payable was £50 invoiced every twelve months. The lease end date was on 19 February 2104. Having 78 years outstanding we estimated the premium to the landlord to extend the lease to be between £8,600 and £9,800 exclusive of legals.