On the balance of probabilities where you own a flat in West London you actually own a long leasehold interest over your property
Leasehold properties in West London with more than 100 years left 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 premises. In such situations there is often little to be gained by buying the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and estate charges merit it.
| Lender | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Halifax | Minimum 70 years from the date 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. |
| Skipton Building Society | 85 years from the date of completion of the mortgage For Buy to Let cases: - lettings must not breach any of the lessee’s covenants; and - consent of the lessor to lettings must be obtained if necessary |
| TSB | Minimum of 70 years at mortgage commencement, with 30 years remaining at mortgage redemption. |
| Virgin | 85 years at the time of completion. If it's less, we require it to be extended on or before completion. |
Retaining our service gives you enhanced control over the value of your West London leasehold, as your property will be more valuable and marketable in terms of lease length should you wish to sell. The conveyancing solicitors that we work with are well versed in the legislation handling many hundreds of lease extensions or freehold purchase transactions.
Ibrahim was the the leasehold proprietor of a conversion apartment in West London on the market with a lease of fraction over 59 years left. Ibrahim informally contacted his landlord being a well known Manchester-based freehold company and enquired on a premium to extend the lease. The freeholder was prepared to agree an extension on non-statutory terms taking the lease to 125 years on the basis of an increased rent to £50 annually. No ground rent would be due on a lease extension were Ibrahim to invoke his statutory right. Ibrahim obtained expert advice and was able to make an informed decision and deal with the matter and sell the flat.
In 2012 we were approached by Mr and Mrs. C Wright who, having moved into a purpose-built apartment in West London in March 2007. The question was if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) compensation to the landlord could be to prolong the lease by ninety years. Similar premises in West London with 100 year plus lease were worth £183,600. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £65 billed quarterly. The lease elapsed in 2083. Given that there were 57 years unexpired we calculated the compensation to the freeholder for the lease extension to be between £28,500 and £33,000 plus expenses.
An example of a Lease Extension case for a West London property is 137 & 139 Haberdasher Street in December 2013. The Tribunal determines in accordance with section 48 and Schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that the premium for the extended lease for each Property should be £12,350.00. This case affected 2 flats. The number of years remaining on the existing lease(s) was 72.39 years.