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Garage conversion and extension to leasehold house

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sunflowers123
sunflowers123 Posts: 44 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
Hi

I’m considering purchase a leasehold house (not new build) that has a 999 year lease.

The estate agents have advised that we don’t need to seek the permission of the freeholder to convert the garage or to build an extension. This is only required if the property is ex local authority, which it isn’t.

Can anybody advise whether this is correct? It wasn’t my understanding but obviously I’m no expert.

Any advice much appreciated.

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  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
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    No, it's a load of nonsense. Permission is required if the lease says that permission is required. So you need to read the lease (and not listen to the estate agent).
  • Slithery
    Slithery Posts: 6,046 Forumite
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    Why on earth are you listening to what the estate agent is saying?

    Their only aim is to sell the property for the person who is paying their wages.
  • eddddy
    eddddy Posts: 16,514 Forumite
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    As others say, you (or your solicitor) need to read the lease.

    Broadly, the lease might have 1 of 3 possibilities:
    1. Conversions and extensions are not allowed
    2. Conversions and extensions require consent (for which you will have to pay a fee)
    3. Conversions and extensions are allowed without needing any consent

    If the lease states option 2, you could investigate buying the freehold (as well as the leasehold) - so you don't have to ask permission anymore.

    But if the lease states option 1, that covenant might be carried over to the freehold - so buying the freehold might not help.
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
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    The EA will probably not even have seen the lease. They certainly aren't qualified to give an opinion on the contents.

    The freeholder owns the structure of your house and the ground it sits on. You are basically renting a thousand-year-right to live there, subject to the terms of the lease.



    You will also need planning permission, and building regs sign-off, of course.
  • sunflowers123
    sunflowers123 Posts: 44 Forumite
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    Thanks very much for each of your replies.

    Figured I was being told a whole lot of rubbish but started doubting myself. When I called back she actually seemed surprised that she was wrong and said she has always advised her clients this!
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