Unfortunately that a Golders Green residential lease is a deteriorating asset. The lease value drops in proportion to its lease length. The extent of this is not fully appreciated in the early years due to the depreciation being disguised by increases in the Golders Green property market.Once your lease nears 85ish years, you need to start considering a lease extension. An important point to note is that it is desirable for lease extension to take place before the term of the existing lease dips below 80 years - otherwise a higher amount will be due. Most flat owners in Golders Green will be able to extend under the legislation; however a conveyancer should be able to clarify if you are eligibility. In some situations you may not be entitled. There are also strict timetables and procedures to be adhered to once the process has commenced and you will need to be guided by your conveyancing solicitor throughout the process.
Leasehold premises in Golders Green with more than 100 years remaining on the lease are sometimes regarded as a ‘virtual freehold’. This is where the lease is worth the same as a freehold interest in your premises. In such circumstances there is often little upside in purchasing the freehold unless savings on ground rent and maintenance charges justify it.
| 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. |
| Barclays plc | Leases with less than 70 years at the commencement of the mortgage are not acceptable. 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; |
| 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. |
| Coventry Building Society | A minimum of 70 years unexpired lease at completion for all scheme types apart from Lifetime Mortgages (Equity Release), which require a minimum unexpired term of 80 years at completion. |
| Santander | If the property is leasehold, the remaining unexpired lease term at the end of the new mortgage term must be at least 50 years where any part of the mortgage is on Interest Only and 30 years if all loan parts are on Capital Repayment and Interest. You must report the unexpired lease term to us and await our instructions if:
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Lease extensions in Golders Green can be a difficult process. We recommend you secure professional help from a lawyer and valuer with experience in this area.
We provide you with an expert from a selection of lease extension solicitors, which ensures a targeted and efficient service as you have a dedicated port of call with an individual lawyer. Our lease extension solicitors have a wealth of experience procuring Golders Green lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
James owned a conversion flat in Golders Green on the market with a lease of fraction over 72 years left. James on an informal basis spoke with his freeholder being a well known London-based freehold company for a lease extension. The freeholder indicated a willingness to grant an extension taking the lease to 125 years on the basis of a new rent at the outset set at £100 per annum and increase every 25 years thereafter. Ordinarily, ground rent would not be payable on a lease extension were James to invoke his statutory right. James obtained expert legal guidance and was able to make a more informed judgement and deal with the matter and sell the property.
Last Autumn we were called by Dr H Campbell , who bought a newly refurbished flat in Golders Green in November 1995. The dilemma was if we could approximate the premium would likely be to prolong the lease by an additional years. Comparable flats in Golders Green with an extended lease were in the region of £260,200. The mid-range amount of ground rent was £65 billed every twelve months. The lease expired on 18 May 2092. Considering the 66 years left we approximated the premium to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £16,200 and £18,600 plus fees.
An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Golders Green property is Flat A 372 Cricklewood Lane in January 2013. The Tribunal decided that the premium for the extended lease should be £5,750.00 and that the terms of the new lease should be those set out in annex to the decsion This case was in relation to 1 flat.