We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Buying a Flat - Leasehold

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a flat (first time buyer) which has 89/90 years on the lease, I just have a question

If i want to renew the lease, how does it work? Would i just be renewing the lease on my flat or do i have to get everyone in the block to agree to renewing the lease to the flat I'm going to buy?

Would i be better asking the seller to engage the freeholder saying they want to add to the lease before i buy? Then transfer the thing over to me? As i know you have to own the property for 2 years before you can do anything.

Comments

  • eddddy
    eddddy Posts: 18,549 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Experting wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I am looking to buy a flat (first time buyer) which has 89/90 years on the lease, I just have a question

    If i want to renew the lease, how does it work? Would i just be renewing the lease on my flat or do i have to get everyone in the block to agree to renewing the lease to the flat I'm going to buy?

    You would just be extending the lease on your flat. Others don't have to extend at the same time.
    Experting wrote: »
    Would i be better asking the seller to engage the freeholder saying they want to add to the lease before i buy? Then transfer the thing over to me? As i know you have to own the property for 2 years before you can do anything.

    With 89 years unexpired on the lease, there is no particular urgency to extend it.

    But if you do ask the seller to kick-off the statutory lease extension process by serving a section 42 notice, I guess you need to make sure you have the funds to complete the process.
  • bluesnake
    bluesnake Posts: 1,460 Forumite
    There is something over the 80..82??? year mark with leases, that is a sweet spot ... if i remember correctly, but can't remember exactly what, but think it was part of a money calculation.

    Also with a new lease, the ground rate may go up to market value rather the the £10 a year for most council flats.
  • eddddy
    eddddy Posts: 18,549 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    bluesnake wrote: »
    There is something over the 80..82??? year mark with leases, that is a sweet spot ... if i remember correctly, but can't remember exactly what, but think it was part of a money calculation.

    Lease extensions cost more when the existing lease length drops below 80 years.
    bluesnake wrote: »
    Also with a new lease, the ground rate may go up to market value rather the the £10 a year for most council flats.

    With a statutory lease extension, the ground rent becomes zero.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.