Lease Extension Calculator

The cost of extending a lease is based on a set formula that takes into account:

• The value of the property
• The number of years left on the lease
• The annual ground rent
• The value of improvements leaseholders have made to the flat
• Other factors like investment returns

It’s a fairly complex calculation, but a surveyor will take care of this for you. Our free calculator will give you a rough idea of the cost.

Instruct an experienced valuer in the enfranchisement field to get reliable advice. It is also important to highlight that when making an offer under the 1993 Act the offer must be a bona fide offer – i.e. a genuine offer. An expert valuer will be able to advise what offer should be made.

There are two options when extending a lease – a voluntary agreement with your freeholder(s) or a statutory lease extension where you rely on the right to be able to extend your lease granted in the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

A voluntary lease extension – involves you coming to an agreement with your freeholder in regards to the term and premium for extending your lease. There are no set terms the freeholder has to give you and their terms do not have to be “fair and reasonable”. In your circumstances, your freeholder may not be unreasonable or difficult to deal with. We would highlight that freeholders do not have to grant voluntary lease extension and a freeholder may simply say “no” or advise you to extend by serving a notice under the 1993 Act.

A statutory lease extension – as long as you have owned a property for over two years you have the right to extend your lease by 90 years and reduce your ground rent to £nil. As long as you meet the criteria for extending under the 1993 Act a freeholder must grant you a lease on 1993 Act terms.

A landlord does not have to extend your lease on a voluntary basis (although they may agree to do so so it is usually best to at least approach your freeholder to make some initial enquiries). However as long as you meet the criteria for extending under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 your landlord cannot refuse to extend your lease.

As freeholders, you are able to extend your leases out of the freehold to 999 years. The procedure involves a deed being drafted, agreed, signed by each leaseholder and director of the freehold company/each freeholder if the freehold is held in your names and then registered at the land registry. If you are looking to extend your lease as a freeholder or co-freeholder you should extend discussing your leases as a group as in practice you usually require each other’s consent and signatures.

If you need a copy lease and you have a mortgage on your property a copy can usually be obtained from your mortgage lender. Your freeholder may also have a copy of your lease and be able to provide you with this.

Alternatively, the Land Registry will hold a copy although a fee will be payable, please visit http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/.