When it comes to residential leasehold property in Thames View, you are actually purchasing a right to reside in a property for a set period of time. Modern flat leases are usually granted for 99 years or 125. Even though this may appear like a lengthy period of time, you may think about extending the lease sooner rather than later. The general rule is that the shorter the number of years is the cost of extending the lease increases markedly particularly once there are fewer than 80 years remaining. Anyone in Thames View with a lease nearing 81 years remaining should seriously consider extending it as soon as possible. When the lease term has below 80 years outstanding, under the relevant Act the freeholder is entitled to calculate and levy a larger premium, assessed on a technical calculation, known as “marriage value” which is due.
Leasehold residencies in Thames View with over 100 years unexpired on the lease are sometimes referred to as ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease value the same as a freehold interest in your premises. In such situations there is often little to be gained by purchasing the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and estate charges warrant it.
| Lender | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 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; |
| 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. |
Using our service gives you better control over the value of your Thames View leasehold, as your property will be more valuable and marketable in respect of lease length should you decide to sell. The conveyancers that we work with are well versed in the legislation handling many hundreds of lease extensions or freehold purchase transactions.
In the wake of 9 months of lengthy correspondence with the landlord of her studio flat in Thames View, Holly commenced the lease extension process just as the lease was nearing the crucial 80-year threshold. The transaction was concluded in August 2010. The landlord’s costs were restricted to under 600 pounds.
In 2014 we were approached by Ms W Gunderson who, having took over the lease of a first floor flat in Thames View in July 1998. We are asked if we could approximate the premium would be to extend the lease by 90 years. Comparable properties in Thames View with an extended lease were in the region of £295,000. The mid-range ground rent payable was £45 invoiced monthly. The lease came to a finish in 2099. Having 74 years as a residual term we estimated the premium to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £8,600 and £9,800 not including expenses.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Thames View flat is 49 Aldborough Road South in July 2012. The Tribunal decided that the premium payable for the grant of the new lease was £13,925 This case related to 1 flat. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 61.36 years.