For those whose Coulsdon flat is held on a long lease, the message is clear – if nothing is done, the property will ultimately revert to your landlord, leaving you empty-handed. The shorter the lease the lower the value of the property and the more expensive it will be to procure a lease extension.
Leasehold properties in Coulsdon with in excess of one hundred years unexpired on the lease are often regarded as a ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease value the same as a freehold interest in your home. In such situations there is often little upside in buying the reversionary interest unless savings on ground rent and estate charges merit 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; |
| Barnsley Building Society | 60 years from the date of the mortgage application subject to 35 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term. |
| Birmingham Midshires | 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. |
| Virgin | 85 years at the time of completion. If it's less, we require it to be extended on or before completion. |
The conveyancers that we work with undertake Coulsdon lease extensions and help protect your position. A lease extension can be arranged to be completed to coincide with a change of ownership so the costs of the lease extension are paid for using part of the sale proceeds. You really do need expert legal advice in this difficult and technical area of law. The lawyer we work with provide it.
Joseph owned a 2 bedroom flat in Coulsdon being sold with a lease of a few days over 59 years remaining. Joseph 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 give an extension on non-statutory terms taking the lease to 125 years subject to a new rent to start with set at £100 per annum and doubled every twenty five years thereafter. No ground rent would be payable on a lease extension were Joseph to invoke his statutory right. Joseph obtained expert legal guidance and was able to make a more informed judgement and handle with the matter and sell the property.
In 2010 we were phoned by Ms Freya Bailey who, having moved into a recently refurbished apartment in Coulsdon in October 2010. The question was if we could shed any light on how much (roughly) premium could be to extend the lease by ninety years. Comparable residencies in Coulsdon with an extended lease were valued around £235,200. The average amount of ground rent was £45 invoiced annually. The lease ended in 2091. Given that there were 66 years outstanding we calculated the premium to the freeholder for the lease extension to be within £12,400 and £14,200 not including expenses.
An example of a Freehold Enfranchisement matter before the tribunal for a Coulsdon residence is 223 Brighton Road in September 2013. The premium payable for the acquisition freehold of the properties should be £10,934 (Ten thousand,nine hundred and thirty four pounds) This case affected 3 flats. The unexpired term as at the valuation date was 75 years.