Leasehold extensions
If you own a leasehold property, the length of your lease can have a big impact on its value, as well as your peace of mind and enjoyment of your property. Whether you’re planning to sell, remortgage, or simply planning ahead, extending your lease can give you greater control and protection.
At Owen White Catlin, our experienced property solicitors will guide you through the lease extension process from start to finish, helping you understand your rights, avoid unnecessary costs, and make the right decisions at every stage.
We can help you with:
- Reviewing your current lease
- Advising on eligibility and valuation
- Serving the formal Section 42 notice (if applicable)
- Liaising with the freeholder
- Drafting and completing the new lease
- Handling registration with HM Land Registry
Talk to our property solicitors today
At Owen White Catlin, we’ll give you honest, practical advice and guide you through every stage of the lease extension process.
Whether you’re extending under the statutory route or through an informal (voluntary) agreement, we’ll act efficiently and decisively to secure the best possible outcome.
You can contact us using our online enquiry form or by calling us on one of our office numbers directly. One of our expert lawyers will be happy to help.
Common questions about lease extensions
Below, we answer some of the most common questions about lease extensions, including when to extend, how the process works, and what factors can affect cost and timing. Our aim is to give you clear, practical guidance so you can better understand your options and make informed decisions about your property.
A lease with fewer than 80 years remaining can cause complications, such as:
- Lowering your property’s market value
- Increasing the cost of extending your lease (due to “marriage value”)
- Making your home less attractive to mortgage lenders and buyers
Extending your lease in good time can reduce expense and stress, as well as protect the long-term value of your property.
You can extend your lease at any point, however it’s advisable to consider extending before your lease is below 80 years.
The general rule with leases is that the longer the length, the more valuable it is. Moreover, it is often the case that the shorter the lease, the more expensive it is to extend.
If your lease has fewer than 80 years remaining, “marriage value” applies. Essentially, this means you’ll pay an additional amount to the freeholder, making the extension more expensive. If you act before reaching this point in your lease, you can save significant costs.
A voluntary lease extension is an informal agreement made directly between you and the freeholder. While it can be quicker and more flexible, it offers fewer legal protections, and the terms are negotiable.
A statutory lease extension is a set procedure under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 allowing a leasehold owner to extend the term of your lease by 90 years and reduce the ground rent payable to the landlord to zero.
Our solicitors will explain the pros and cons of each route and guide you through the best option for your circumstances.
Yes absolutely, and in many cases, doing so can make your property more attractive to buyers. You can either complete the lease extension before selling or start the statutory process and transfer the benefit to the buyer upon completion.
Yes, a surveyor experienced in lease extensions will help with valuation advice and strengthen your negotiating position. We can recommend trusted surveyors and work alongside them to secure the best outcome.
In a voluntary (informal) lease extension, terms are negotiable. This includes factors such as length, premium paid to the landlord and other clauses of the lease. In a statutory lease extension, the term of the extended lease is fixed but the premium is negotiable as are the terms of the lease which we can change to ensure the lease is up to date and protect your interests.
This can vary. For informal (voluntary) lease extensions, the process usually takes anywhere between 4 to 8weeks. It can sometimes take longer for statutory lease extensions, which may typically be 3 to 6 months (or longer in some cases if terms cannot be agreed).
Timings will depend on the complexity of the matter and how quickly your freeholder responds. We strive to keep things moving and update you at every stage to avoid any unnecessary delays.
If the freeholder (or landlord) does not respond to the formal notice, we can progress your case in court to obtain an extended term on the terms offered to the landlord. We’ll guide you through the legal steps and advise accordingly.
The cost of a leasehold extension depends on several factors, including the length of your existing lease, the value of your property, and the terms of the extension you pursue.
There are two main routes:
- Statutory leasehold extension (formal legal process):
Under the statutory route, you are typically responsible for your own legal and valuation fees, as well as the landlord’s reasonable legal and valuation costs, as set out in legislation. In some cases, if terms cannot be agreed and the matter is referred to the tribunal, additional court or tribunal costs may also arise. - Non-statutory (informal) leasehold extension:
Costs are agreed directly with the freeholder and can vary more widely. In most cases, the freeholder will expect you to cover their legal and valuation costs, in addition to your own fees, as part of the negotiation.
We provide a clear, upfront breakdown of all expected costs before you proceed, so you understand the full financial commitment and can avoid any unexpected surprises.