Leasehold Enfranchisement

The Lease Extension and Enfranchisement team has extensive experience of all areas of lease extension and freehold sales/purchases.

The team has a wealth of knowledge and practical familiarity and our solicitors and support staff take the time to ensure that we understand your needs and support you through, what for many is an unfamiliar process.

Whether you are a Landlord, a tenant or a management company or residents association of residential property (blocks of flats, or converted buildings) we are able to assist you. Where necessary we will work closely with our colleagues in other departments to ensure that you receive a tailored and fully comprehensive service.

We appreciate that lease extension and enfranchisement process can be daunting and at times, frustrating. Our experience in this area allows us to carefully guide clients through the process, ensuring that they understand all of the options available. We work closely with our clients to discuss their expectations and explain the processes involved, and the likely costs involved, in reaching their aim.

The Leasehold Reform, Housing & Urban Development Act 1993 gave tenants (i.e. long leaseholders) the right to either force a lease extension, or force a sale of the freehold. The law is very complex, with strict statutory time frames that must be adhered to; the consequences of failing to follow the statutory procedure can be draconian and fatal (not to mention expensive!). It is therefore vital that you seek specialist legal advice.

The following are the types of work that our team would be delighted to assist you with:

For leaseholders

Lease extensions
By private agreement
Statutory lease extensions
Where you own a share of the freehold (often called ‘lease extension to shareholders’
Freehold enfranchisement (buying your freehold)
Right of First Refusal (your freeholder offers you the freehold)
Lease variations