Lease Extension Solicitors
Expert leasehold extension solicitors specialising in simplifying the process for landlords and tenants.
Specialist solicitors offering an end-to-end lease extension service
Extending your lease can become a complicated and drawn-out process if carried out without the right knowledge and guidance. Whether you’re a landlord looking for a seamless extension, or a tenant wanting to propose a lease extension, Goughs has the expertise to advise you on the right course of action.
We advise on both statutory lease extensions under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and informal lease extensions, helping you understand the advantages, risks and costs of each route. From initial eligibility checks through to negotiation, drafting and registration, we manage the process efficiently while keeping you fully informed at every stage.
Key Contact
Lindsey Nolan
Senior Associate Solicitor and Co-Head of Agriculture & Rural Land
How our Lease Extension solicitors can help you
Our leasehold extension solicitors work collaboratively with specialist valuers and other professionals to guide negotiations towards the desired outcome. We can provide a range of services, depending on your individual requirements.
- Serving Section 42 notices
- Negotiating with solicitors on your behalf
- Liaising with valuation surveyors on your behalf
- Drafting, and reading through, legal documents
- Coordinating and corresponding with lenders
- Completing necessary Land Registry documentation
Lease Extension process explained
The lease extension process typically takes between 3 and 12 months from start to finish, depending upon whether the matter is agreed informally or progresses under the statutory route. We explain below some key differences in timeline and process.
Both routes require careful management. The informal route can be quicker but terms may not be as favourable such as retained or higher ground rent. Whilst the statutory route can be slower but it follows a strict and predictable process and will result in defined terms, including no ground rent.
Informal route
The informal route is where you negotiat directly with the Freeholder. The typical timeframe from start to end of negotiations can be between 2-4 months, depending on how responsive the freeholder and their chosen legal representative or valuer is.
There is no strict timeline and terms are negotiable, including premium and ground rent.
Key stages usually include
- Initial approach to the freeholder: You or your solicitor asks whether the freeholder is willing to negotiate informally.
- Valuation: A surveyor values the lease to guide negotiation. This is not a legal requirement when negotiating informally.
- Negotiation of premium and terms: Freeholder may propose new ground rent or other commercial terms.
- Agreed terrms: Once terms are agreed, solicitors prepare the new lease and commence the drafting of the terms of the lease.
- Completion and registration at HM Land Registry: Please note the Land Registry registration process can take up to 12 months to complete.
Statutory Route
The typical timeline is between 3 – 6 months from start to end of negotiation assuming there is no requirement to apply to the First-Tier Tribunal. If this is required, due to unsuccessful negotiations, this can add up to 12 months.
Key stages usually include
- Confirming eligibility and reviewing the existing lease
- Obtaining a professional valuation
- Serving the Section 42 notice, which triggers the set legal timetable.
- Freeholder must respond with a Counter Notice within 2 months of receiving the Section 42 Notice.
- Negotiating the premium and lease terms can take between 2-6 months (but if not agreed within 6 months, an application to the First-Tier Tribunal can be made)
- Drafting and completing the new lease
- Registering the extension with the Land Registry
In both cases, if your property is mortgaged, your lender will also need to be involved. We manage all correspondence with lenders to ensure their requirements are met without unnecessary delays.
Speak to a solicitor
If you need advice on extending your lease or have received communication from your freeholder, our specialist lease extension solicitors can help.
We provide clear guidance on your rights, manage the legal process from start to finish, and ensure everything is handled efficiently and in line with current legislation. You can call, email or come into one of our seven offices.
Call us
With seven offices around the South West of England, we have multiple offices you can call.
Email us
If you would like to drop us an email you can on info@goughs.co.uk
Visit us
With offices in Calne, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Melksham and Trowbridge, you can pop in and see us. View office locations.
Why you should consider extending your lease
Many leaseholders are unaware of how significantly a diminishing lease term can affect their property. As the number of remaining years reduces, the cost of extending the lease increases, and mortgage lenders may become reluctant to lend.
It is generally advisable to begin the lease extension process before the lease falls below 80 years. Once this threshold is crossed, “marriage value” becomes payable, which can substantially increase the premium owed to the freeholder. We can assess your position, explain likely costs, and help you take action at the most advantageous time.
Your Lease Extension questions answered
A Lease Extension is the legal process of increasing the remaining term on a leasehold property. This is typically done by adding years to the lease in return for a premium paid to the freeholder, helping protect the property’s long-term value and mortgageability. Learn more about what a lease extension is.
It is generally advisable to consider extending your lease before your lease approaches the 85 year remaining term so that you give yourself time to consider your options. Once the lease term approaches the 80 year mark, the cost of extending can increase significantly due to “marriage value” being applied.
Most leaseholders are legally entitled to extend their lease under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. A solicitor that specialises in Lease Extension can confirm your eligibility and advise on your rights but in summary, you will be eligible if the lease was granted for more than 21 years and it is a residential dwelling.
A Section 42 notice is a formal legal notice served by a leaseholder to begin the statutory lease extension process. It sets out the proposed premium and terms and must be handled carefully to ensure it is not deemed invalid, which would prevent the leaseholder from serving another notice for 12 months.
In most cases, a landlord cannot refuse a statutory lease extension if the tenant meets the legal criteria. In most cases, the statutory process entitles the leaseholder to a 90 year extension with ground rent reduced to zero. However, landlords can negotiate other terms and premiums, which is why experienced Leasehold Extension solicitors are essential.
For an informal extension, this is not legally required but is strongly recommended.
A professional valuation is a key part of the statutory process, as it determines the premium payable for the Lease Extension. A professional valuation protects you by:
- Ensuring the premium is realistic and compliant with valuation rules
- Avoiding costly errors that could invalidate the process
- Giving your solicitor the necessary figures to include in the notice
Extending a lease can significantly improve a property’s value, make it easier to sell, and increase the number of mortgage lenders willing to lend against it, especially if the lease was approaching or below 80 years.
Our clients rate us as excellent
Lorraine Vaun-Davis
This is the third time Lindsey Nolan has acted for me. Each time I have found her to be highly professional, super responsive and detail orientated, which is exactly what you need during complex conveyancing transactions. She’s also great at managing unrealistic expectations, mainly mine! I have no hesitation in recommending Lindsey and the whole Gough’s Conveyancing team.
Kate Horner
Ailie was professional, friendly and very efficient. Ailie’s knowledge, reassurance and patience is invaluable.
Sue Jenkins
Nadine has been excellent throughout, keeping us regularly informed of all progress and we liked her very practical approach to things. The support staff at Goughs have also been excellent throughout, hence, instructing Goughs on 4 property matters. Nothing too much trouble and all requests were dealt with very swiftly
Corsham
Well-managed transaction handled promptly and professionally. We have used Goughs before, will use again and would not hesitate to recommend
Meet the lease extension experts
Licensed Conveyancer
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Residential Conveyancer
Trainee Residential Conveyancer
Senior Associate
Solicitor
Licensed Conveyancer
Solicitor
Residential Conveyancer
Trainee Residential Conveyancer
Trainee Residential Conveyancer
Residential Property Conveyancer ACILEX
Associate Solicitor
Senior Associate
Partner and Head of Residential Property
Solicitor
Licensed Conveyancer
Associate Solicitor
Licensed Conveyancer
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Residential Conveyancer
Residential Conveyancer
Solicitor
Partner
Partner & Notary Public
Senior Associate Solicitor and Co-Head of Agriculture & Rural Land
Why choose Goughs?
Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation
First-class, effective service
Largest solicitors in Wiltshire
Seven offices throughout the county
Nationally accredited law firm
Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners