Leasehold solicitors are specialists who handle all legal aspects of leasehold property. Leaseholds involve extra complications compared to standard freehold transactions, and the added work will mean a longer process and a slightly higher fee.
Recent updates to the law affecting leaseholds include the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, and the Building Safety Act 2022, granting leaseholder protections following the cladding scandal.
- Leasehold flats and maisonettes may have short leases, head leases, doubling ground rent, major works planned, and obligations to the freeholder you may be unable to meet.
- Leasehold disputes can arise regarding obligations or breaches on either side and you need a solicitor who understands how to protect your interests.
- Use our helpful calculator to work out your leasehold stamp duty.
Leasehold conveyancing solicitors: Do you need a solicitor to buy a leasehold?
You have to use a solicitor or a licenced conveyancer to buy a leasehold, sell, extend the lease, or purchase the freehold. Certain parts of the transaction legally cannot be carried out by anyone who doesn't have the necessary qualifications.
Buying, selling, extending or enfranchising a leasehold involves complex legal work, which could cost you a fortune or get you in trouble with the law (or both) if not handled correctly. We recommend you use a specialist leasehold solicitor, like the experts on our panel, for your leasehold conveyancing.
How much are conveyancing fees for a leasehold?
Conveyancing fees for a leasehold property are higher than a standard freehold, as the legal work is more intricate and time-consuming.
All conveyancing fees consist of two main components: the solicitor's legal work and the disbursements (third-party costs). The solicitor's charges may be a fixed fee or based on an hourly rate, and it's wise to obtain several quotes from different solicitors to compare and make a decision. Our fees are fixed on a sale or purchase, so you're protected from nasty surprises.
Disbursements usually include fees for various searches, Land Registry fees, and other administrative costs. Leasehold-specific disbursements include a leasehold information pack requested from the freeholder or management company, notice of assignment, and notice of charge fees. These costs can add up. Our quote includes a detailed breakdown of all potential charges, so you can compare quotes accurately.
The conveyancing process and fees for a leasehold extension will be different from purchasing the freehold over the leasehold or simply executing a deed of variation. Arrange a free consultation with our team to discuss your options and get a tailored quote to meet your needs.
Leasehold extension solicitors
The value of your leasehold decreases as the term runs out. You should always extend your lease at around 80 years remaining, but there are other reasons you may want to extend the lease beforehand, particularly if you want to reduce your ground rent. We offer advice and support for leaseholders who would like to extend or vary the lease.
Collective enfranchisement solicitors
Most leaseholds are one of multiple dwellings within a single freehold building which means the freeholds cannot be separated; for example, they have shared access and facilities. If you want to own the freehold, you can opt for collective enfranchisement. This is when 50% or more of the leaseholders club together to buy the freehold together, each owning a share of the freehold and choosing how to manage it together.
We can help with the valuation and full legal process, including setting up a freehold company to manage the building.
Free initial leasehold advice
Arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced conveyancing executives on:
- Lease extension.
- Purchasing the leasehold, freehold or share of freehold.
- Selling a leasehold property with a short lease.
- Extending the lease at the same time as you sell.
We specialise in lease extensions and have RICS valuers for the premium/negotiation and solicitors for the section 42 notice and formal or informal extension. Request a tailored quote for:
- RICS Lease Extension Valuation or L2 Homebuyers Survey.
- Serving of the section 42 notice or section 13 notice on the freeholder.
- Negotiation with the freeholder (with the support of your RICS valuer).
- Completion of the legal work, including deed of variation.
- Application to Tribunal to determine the premium.
- Vesting order for absent landlords.
Management disputes or service charge disputes
Our leasehold dispute solicitors can help you to serve notice on your freeholder or management company, exercising your right to challenge poor management or unfair charges. If the freeholder is willing to compromise, we can formalise the new agreement and changes to your lease with a deed of variation.
If the dispute can't be resolved, we can help you settle your dispute at the First Tier Tribunal.
We can help with disputes over:
- Major works
- Service charges
- Insurance
- Historic neglect
- Forfeiture
- Lease changes
- Poor maintenance
- Problem neighbours
- Right to manage claims
Vesting orders
Sometimes, it isn't possible to reach the freeholder, particularly on longer leases where the original freeholder has died and a new freeholder has inherited the title, even more so if the inheritor lives overseas. If the freeholder is absent or simply fails to return a counter notice on an application to extend the lease or buy the freehold, we can help you apply for a vesting order.
If the order is granted then the court will take over responsibility of the freeholder and grant the new lease or purchase of freehold following the statutory process.
Why you need a leasehold solicitor
Understanding the Lease Agreement
A specialist solicitor can thoroughly review the lease to ensure you understand its terms, including ground rent, service charges, any restrictions or covenants that may impact your use of the property, and the rights and responsibilities of each party.
Protecting Your Interests
They are legally and professionally obligated to make you aware of any unfair terms or undisclosed liabilities that they find and can help you negotiate for a fairer deal.
Searches and Due Diligence
Your solicitor will conduct various conveyancing searches to uncover important information about the property. This due diligence is designed to find any nasty surprises you might otherwise only discover after buying the property.
Handling Legal Documents and Contracts
A leasehold solicitor manages all the legal documentation to ensure that everything is in order and that you are protected legally.
Dealing with the Freeholder or Management Company
Your solicitor will liaise with the freeholder or the management company to request necessary information, and ensure everything is legally compliant.
Assistance with Financing and Mortgage Requirements
Your solicitor will work with your lender to ensure that all legal and financial aspects are appropriately addressed.
Compliance with Legal Regulations
A solicitor will ensure that the entire transaction complies with all relevant laws and regulations and register them with the Land Registry.
We've hand-selected a panel of specialist leasehold solicitors you can trust
Their expertise can help you navigate the process smoothly, avoid potential pitfalls, and protect your investment in the leasehold property.
