Leasehold Solicitors | Lease Extensions & Enfranchisement | Orwins

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Specialist advice

Leasehold law is currently undergoing major changes. Some updates are already in place, such as removing the two-year ownership rule before you can extend your lease or buy your freehold. Other changes, like longer standard extensions and new ways to calculate premiums, are still on the way, but it’s not clear when they’ll take effect.

Because of this uncertainty, generic legal advice often isn’t enough. For some leaseholders, waiting could save money. For others, especially if your lease is close to 80 years, waiting can become more costly each month. At Orwins, we’ll review your lease, your plans, and the current reforms to give you clear advice on what to do next.

See how we can help

Our residential property team cover all types of leasehold matters.

Lease extensions

Buying your freehold (shared building)

Freehold purchase for leasehold houses

Right to manage

Service charge and management disputes

Ground rent and lease defects

Meet our residential property team

Courteous and professional

We had a great experience working with Wale and Robert. Buying our flat went super smoothly and was dealt with in a courteous and professional way.

We appreciate Tamara

Tamara Lester was extremely efficient and professional in the sale of our property. She was very prompt to respond to any communications and this we appreciated greatly.

Genuine approachability

From our first interaction, it was clear that I was dealing with professionals who prioritise excellent communication, transparency, and a genuine approachability that is hard to come by these days. Every query is met with a prompt and thorough response, and it never feels like it's too much trouble; the people we have dealt with are easy to talk to and genuinely care. They are proactive, reliable, and passionate about what they do.

Service, knowledge and expertise are second to none

Worked with Avi and Matthew on many transactions, and they never fail to deliver. Their service, knowledge and expertise are second to none, but their proactive approach sets them apart. Delighted to work with them time and time again.

Frequently asked questions

Should I extend my lease now or wait for the leasehold reforms?

It depends on your lease and your plans. The reforms that could make extensions cheaper are not in place yet. The government is still deciding how premiums will be calculated, and it may take years for the changes to start. If your lease is well over 90 years and you don’t plan to sell or remortgage, waiting might make sense. But if your lease is close to 80 years, or you need to sell or refinance soon, waiting is usually riskier and more expensive. We can help you decide what’s best for your situation.

How much does a lease extension cost?

There are two main costs; the premium you pay the freeholder and the professional fees. The premium depends on how much time is left on your lease, the ground rent, and your property’s value. It can range from a few thousand pounds to much more for short leases on valuable flats. You’ll also pay your own legal and valuation fees, and under current rules, you must contribute to the freeholder’s reasonable costs. We’ll give you a realistic estimate of all costs before you decide.

What happens when a lease drops below 80 years?

When a lease drops below 80 years, marriage value applies. This means the freeholder gets a share of the increase in your property’s value from the extension. As a result, the premium rises sharply and keeps increasing as the lease gets shorter. The reforms plan to remove marriage value, but this hasn’t happened yet. If your lease is close to 80 years, get advice before it drops below that point.

Can I extend my lease as soon as I buy a flat?

What's the difference between right to manage and buying the freehold?

Right to manage allows qualifying leaseholders to take over the management of their building. This means you control maintenance, insurance, and service charges, but the freeholder still owns the building. Buying the freehold (collective enfranchisement) means you and your neighbours own the building outright, so you can grant yourselves long leases and remove ground rent. Right to manage is usually quicker and cheaper because there’s no premium to pay, and it’s often a good first step. We can help you decide which option is best for your building.

Can I challenge my service charge?

Yes. Service charges must be reasonable, and any work or services must meet a reasonable standard. If your charges have increased or the building isn’t being maintained, you can ask for a breakdown and, if needed, apply to a tribunal to have the charges reviewed. There are also rules about consulting leaseholders for major works. If your freeholder hasn’t followed these, they may not be able to recover the full cost. Start by collecting your demands and accounts, then speak to us to see if challenging the charges is worthwhile.

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