Enfranchisement and Lease Extension Solicitors
If you own a leasehold property, your rights and its value may be affected by the length of your lease. Our property litigation solicitors can help you extend your lease or buy the freehold, protecting your investment and future security.
Contact Us
Many flats and some houses in England and Wales are sold on a leasehold basis. While this can work well, lease terms shorten over time – and once a lease falls below 80 years, the cost of extending it increases significantly and the property can lose value.
At Slater Heelis, our specialist property litigation team regularly advises leaseholders on lease extensions and collective enfranchisement (where leaseholders join together to purchase the freehold). We’ll guide you through the process, ensure your rights are protected, and help you achieve the best outcome with minimal stress.
Daniel Stern, our Head of Property Litigation, has acted for individuals and businesses on the residential and commercial sides of property litigation. Daniel is highly recommended by clients on ReviewSolicitors and works with a team of highly skilled litigation specialists on a broad range of matters.
If you’re concerned about a short lease or want to explore enfranchisement options, call us today on 0330 111 3131 or complete our contact form.
What are lease extensions and enfranchisement?
- Lease extension – A legal process that allows you to extend the term of your lease, protecting your property’s value and making it easier to sell or remortgage. Under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, most flat owners are entitled to an additional 90 years on their lease at a peppercorn (nil) ground rent.
- Enfranchisement – The right of leaseholders to purchase the freehold of their flat or house.
- Collective enfranchisement – The right of leaseholders to join together to collectively purchase the freehold of the building.
- Right to manage – The right for leasehold property owners to take over management functions of the building.
All these processes involve strict legal procedures and timescales, so expert advice is essential.
Enfranchisement and lease extension issues we can help with
Our property litigation solicitors have extensive experience handling:
- Statutory lease extensions under the 1993 Act
- Informal (negotiated) lease extensions with freeholders
- Collective enfranchisement claims by groups of leaseholders
- Advising freeholders in response to leaseholder claims
- Advising and assisting leaseholders with taking control of the management of their building
- Disputes about premium (price) or terms of the new lease
- Applications to the First-tier Tribunal where agreement cannot be reached
Whether you are a leaseholder seeking to protect your property or a freeholder responding to a claim, we’ll provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances.
How our property litigation solicitors can help
Leasehold law is complex and heavily regulated. We’ll explain the process in plain English, handle the necessary notices and negotiations, and ensure deadlines are met.
Our services include:
- Assessing your eligibility and entitlement to extend or buy the freehold
- Serving and responding to statutory notices
- Negotiating premiums and lease terms with freeholders or leaseholders
- Representing you at the First-tier Tribunal if disputes arise
- Coordinating with valuers and surveyors to support your claim
We’ll work proactively to achieve a cost-effective solution that protects your long-term interests.
Why choose Slater Heelis?
As one of the leading property litigation teams in the North West, we’ve helped leaseholders and freeholders alike resolve leasehold issues efficiently and effectively.
We understand the impact that short leases and complex leasehold arrangements can have on property value and security, and we’ll provide the expert support you need to move forward with confidence.
You’ll benefit from:
- Decades of experience in leasehold and property litigation matters
- Clear, pragmatic advice tailored to your goals
- Skilled negotiators with a strong record of achieving fair outcomes
- A full-service law firm able to advise on property, planning and disputes when required
