Stop! Your Lease Extension in Highgate Could Be FREE

Many leaseholders in Highgate are unaware that their original lawyer had a duty to warn them about future mortgageability and saleability issues. Before you pay thousands to your freeholder, let us audit your purchase history. You might have a claim that pays for your lease extension in full

If you are facing a significant premium because your lease in Highgate has dropped toward the 80-year mark, your previous lawyer may be at fault. Our panel of experts specialise in recovering lease extension costs from negligent firms who failed to protect your investment.

Main reasons to start your Highgate lease extension


Top reasons for lease extension now:

Increase your lease and increase your Highgate property value

There is no doubt about it a leasehold property in Highgate is a wasting asset as a result of the shortening lease. If the lease has, beyond 100 years remaining then this decrease may be fractional that being said there will become a stage when a lease has under than eighty years remaining as part of the premium you will incur is what is known as a marriage value. This could increase sharply the cost. It is the main logic behind why you should consider extending sooner as opposed to later. Most flat owners in Highgate will qualify for this right; that being said a conveyancing solicitor can confirm whether you are eligible to extend your lease. In limited situations you may not qualify, the most frequent reason being that you have owned the property for under two years.

An extended lease is almost the same value as a freehold

Leasehold residencies in Highgate with in excess of 100 years left 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 property. In such situations there is often little upside in purchasing the freehold unless savings on ground rent and service charges merit it.

Lenders may decide not to lend on a short lease

Most mortgage lenders have tightened lending criteria in recent years and borrowers are encountering difficulties in arranging funding or re-mortgage against property with shorter lease terms, particularly under 75 years as they are deemed to be deficient for lending purposes.

Lender Requirement
Barnsley Building Society 60 years from the date of the mortgage application subject to 35 years remaining at the end of the mortgage term.
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.
Godiva Mortgages 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.
National Westminster Bank Mortgage term plus 30 years.

For Shared Ownership, the remaining term of the lease must be at least 75 years plus the term of the mortgage at the outset of the mortgage.
Yorkshire 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.

Get in touch with one of our Highgate lease extension solicitors or enfranchisement solicitors

Lease extensions in Highgate can be a difficult process. We recommend you get professional help from a conveyancing solicitor and surveyor well versed in the legislation and lease extension process.

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 dealing with Highgate lease extensions and further afield, as well as any potential issues which may arise as well as problems with the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Highgate Lease Extension Case Summaries:

Zoe, Highgate, North London,

Subsequent to protracted discussions with the landlord of her first floor flat in Highgate, Zoe commenced the lease extension process as the 80 year threshold was swiftly advancing. The transaction was concluded in June 2014. The landlord’s charges were negotiated to about five hundred pounds.

Highgate case:

Dr P Pérez owned a one bedroom apartment in Highgate in February 2007. The dilemma was if we could shed any light on how much (approximately) compensation to the landlord would likely be to prolong the lease by a further 90 years. Comparable flats in Highgate with an extended lease were valued about £193,400. The mid-range ground rent payable was £65 billed annually. The lease came to a finish in 2085. Taking into account 59 years left we estimated the compensation to the landlord for the lease extension to be between £21,900 and £25,200 exclusive of fees.

Decision in Haringey

An example of a Lease Extension decision for a Highgate flat is Flat 2A 19 Shepherds Hill in June 2014. The tribunal concluded in accordance with section 48 and schedule 13 of the Leasehold Reform,Housing and Urban Development Act (the 1993 Act) that the premium payable in respect of the grant of a new lease for the Flat be £24,303 (twenty four thousand three hundred and three pounds) This case was in relation to 1 flat. The unexpired lease term was 67.85 years.