Housing Association & lease extension

Caracola

Hi all,

I've seen a flat that I really like that has 84 years left on the lease. I know that if the lease is any less than 80 years extending it becomes more expensive, so I want the vendor to get the ball rolling or pass on the right to me, but for me to then knock of the cost of the extension off what I offer.

The EA has let me know that the freeholder is Notting Hill Housing and that Housing Associations are usually reasonable when it comes to lease extensions.

Is that true? Can any of you offer advice on what is the best thing to do here? Would the quickest option be for the vendor to get a quote from the freeholder and to pass on the right to extend to me?

Any insight would be great as I'm completely new to this.

Thanks very much.

Caracola

Doozergirl

How long will you be staying in the flat? If it's less than two years, the lease isn't an issue when you sell on and if it's more then there's no need to transfer any 'right' to extend. You can extend within two years, it's only if the freeholder refuses that you can force them to extend the lease after two years of owning the property.

I doubt that a Housing Association would be particularly interested in being litigious and I very much doubt that they would force you to wait for that 2 years period anyway. I'm sure they, and the vast majority of freeholders would be happy to extend the lease just on being asked.