If you own a leasehold property, the length of your lease has a direct impact on its value and marketability. As the years on your lease decrease, the property can become harder to sell or remortgage — and extending it at the right time can make a big difference.
At Latimer Solicitors, our experienced lease extension solicitors help clients across England and Wales extend their leases efficiently and with confidence. We handle both voluntary (informal) and statutory lease extensions, ensuring the legal process runs smoothly from start to finish.
Why Lease Extensions Matter
Many leaseholders don’t realise that once a lease drops below 80 years, extending it becomes more expensive and lenders may refuse mortgages on the property. Acting early can save you significant time and money.
Extending your lease gives you:
- A longer term of ownership, protecting your property’s value.
- A stronger position if you plan to sell or remortgage.
- The removal of ground rent in most cases.
- Peace of mind that your home remains a secure, appreciating asset.
Common scenarios include:
- You’re selling a leasehold flat, but the buyer’s lender requires a longer lease.
- Your lease is approaching 80 years and you want to avoid paying “marriage value”.
- You’ve owned the property for more than two years and wish to exercise your statutory right to extend.
- You’re negotiating directly with a freeholder for an informal agreement.
Whatever your situation, professional advice ensures you follow the right route and avoid costly mistakes.
How Latimer Solicitors Can Help
Our solicitors have extensive experience advising leaseholders on their rights under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and handling all aspects of both statutory and informal lease extensions.
When you instruct Latimer Solicitors, we will:
- Review your current lease and confirm eligibility for a statutory extension.
- Explain your options clearly, including the benefits and risks of formal or informal routes.
- Serve the Initial Notice (Section 42 Notice) if proceeding under the statutory process.
- Liaise with your freeholder or their solicitor throughout negotiations.
- Review the valuation report and ensure the new lease terms are fair and compliant.
- Prepare and complete all legal documentation for the new lease.
- Register the extended lease with HM Land Registry.
We’ll guide you through every stage, explaining the process in plain English and keeping you updated until completion.
Our Process / What to Expect
Here’s how the lease extension process typically works when you instruct Latimer Solicitors:
- Initial Advice and Quote
We review your current lease, explain your options, and provide a clear fixed-fee quote.
- Valuation and Preparation
You arrange a lease extension valuation with a qualified surveyor. We work alongside them to ensure the correct figures are used in negotiations.
- Serving the Section 42 Notice (Statutory Route)
If you qualify, we serve notice on your freeholder to start the formal process. The freeholder then has a set time to respond.
- Negotiation of Terms
We liaise with the freeholder’s solicitor to agree the premium and the new lease terms.
- Completion and Registration
Once terms are agreed, we handle the signing and registration of the new lease with HM Land Registry.
- Informal Extensions
If you’re pursuing a voluntary (informal) extension, we’ll negotiate and complete the new lease directly with the freeholder.
Our approach ensures every detail is correct, deadlines are met, and your legal rights are fully protected.
Why Choose Latimer Solicitors?
Extending a lease can be complex, but with the right support it doesn’t need to be stressful. Clients across England and Wales choose Latimer Solicitors because we offer:
- Specialist leasehold expertise, including both statutory and informal extensions.
- Decades of conveyancing experience handling leasehold properties.
- Clear, fixed-fee pricing with no hidden extras.
- Nationwide service — wherever you are in England and Wales, we can assist.
- SRA-regulated professionals ensuring reliability, confidentiality, and compliance.
- Proactive communication and practical advice you can rely on.
We take pride in helping leaseholders protect their investments and avoid unnecessary legal complications.
