Leasehold Valuations IN LONDON

Our surveyors have extensive experience of valuing for lease extension and freehold purchases for both leaseholders and freeholders. The majority of claims fall under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) but there are certain circumstances when the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (the 1987 Act) applies.

Leaseholders have a choice between the formal route (via the service of a notice) or what is commonly called the ‘informal route’ (approaching the freeholder prior to serving a notice). Choosing between the multitude of options can be daunting but can be easily explained by a member of our team who will set out the best and most appropriate way forward.

Whilst occasionally the leaseholder and freeholder are on good enough terms to agree the premium without any further professional assistance, most cases are rather more adversarial and will require the surveyor acting for one side to negotiate with the surveyor acting for the other. If the premium cannot be agreed both parties do have the resolution of the First Tier Tribunal.

Lease extensions under the 1993 Act gives the leaseholder the right to an additional 90 years on top of their remaining term at a peppercorn ground rent. Owners will generally qualify under this legislation if they have owned their property for more than 2 years, which can prove to be a problem when a property is due to be sold. The good news is that this can be circumvented by the current owner serving a formal notice (S.42) and assigning the right of extension to the incoming purchaser. More detail on the extension process can be found on our Lease Extensions page.

Freehold purchases or freehold enfranchisements are also governed by the 1993 Act which allows the leaseholder of a building/block to collectively purchase the freehold from their freeholder. This is often used over and above the lease extension process when leaseholders wish to have more control over the management of their building; especially in relation to maintenance. There is no such 2-year qualification period with this route but the valuation is often more complicated and expensive, with reliance on the majority of leaseholders in the building participating in the process. Our Freehold Enfranchisement page looks at the process in more detail and explains the additional considerations.

Part III of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (the 1987 Act) is a much less widely used piece of legislation, possibly because both the public and the surveying/legal professions are mostly unaware of it. It does however, upon meeting certain criteria, give the applicant the opportunity to acquire the freehold for significantly less than they would have done under the 1993 Act.

Our surveyors have vast experience of representing both leaseholders and freeholders in respect of each of the above Acts. This gives us a unique insight into both sides of the process and the most appropriate and best used strategies to reach the most advantageous conclusion regardless of who we act for.

Matthew Price (Hons) BSc MRICS has successfully represented clients at the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) and both he and Steve Hobbs have been selected as expert witnesses by the President of the FTT in absent landlord claims under both the 1993 and 1987 Act. We have gained a reputation for providing straightforward and competent advice. We also work closely with a number of prominent legal practices within the leasehold and enfranchisement arena.