Leasehold enfranchisement explained
Nikita Dale Lewis, solicitor at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors delves into more detail about the leasehold enfranchisement process, and what steps are involved.
March 17, 2026
Worried your lease is running out and seeking to extend it? Do you want to take control of your property and protect your investment by buying your freehold?
Our specialist solicitors provide the clear, expert legal guidance you need, whether you are extending your lease, taking part in collective enfranchisement, purchasing the freehold of your house, dealing with a Section 5 notice, or involved in tribunal proceedings.
Our leasehold enfranchisement solicitors operate from our offices in Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City (Hertfordshire), Old Harlow (Essex) and London. However we can also handle any leasehold matters nationwide.
How we will help – our enfranchisement services
If you have a leasehold property, you will only own it for the period set out in your lease agreement. The initial term of your lease will usually be between 90 and 999 years. As the remaining term gets shorter, your property can become difficult to sell or remortgage.
Extending your lease is the best way to protect your investment and secure your ownership for the long term. You may also want to take control of your property by buying your freehold, either individually or with other leaseholders in your building.
As specialist leasehold enfranchisement solicitors, we provide legal advice on all aspects of leasehold enfranchisement from our offices in Hitchin, Welwyn Garden City and Old Harlow. We have a proven track record of helping a diverse range of clients, from individual homeowners to investors, portfolio landlords and groups of tenants, across England.
We provide expert legal advice on any of the following:
Lease extensions under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993
Once you have obtained a valuation to assess the likely premium payable we will manage the formal process for you, handling all legal notices and applications to ensure you secure your statutory right to a 90-year extension and varying the ground rent payable to a peppercorn per annum.
Lease extensions and freehold purchases on a voluntary basis
Subject to agreement with your freeholder, we can also assist you with extending your lease or purchasing the freehold of your property on a voluntary basis. We will be able to advise you on the terms offered by the freeholder to ensure they are fair and beneficial to you, avoiding a lengthy legal process.
Assignment of lease extension claims in conjunction with the sale of a property
Where you have begun the statutory process of extending your lease and subject to agreement with your buyer, we can ensure the sale of your property is able to proceed even with a short lease by formally transferring your extension claim to the buyer, ensuring your sale can proceed.
Freehold purchase of houses under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
We will handle the legal process of buying the freehold of your house, giving you ownership and greater control over the management of your Property.
Collective enfranchisement under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993
We can represent a group of qualifying flat owners who wish to collectively purchase the freehold of their building, securing everyone’s investment and giving you and your neighbours greater control over the management and future of your building.
Section 5 notices and rights of first refusal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
If your landlord is selling the freehold of your building, you may have the legal right to purchase it before it is offered to anyone else. We can advise and represent you in relation to Section 5 notices, freehold disposals and acquisitions subject to the right of first refusal provisions.
Tribunal proceedings
Where the premium, lease terms or freehold purchase terms cannot be agreed, our litigation team can represent you in proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), ensuring your position is properly protected.
Claims involving absent landlords
If your freeholder is absent, we can apply to the County Court on your behalf to legally force the grant of an extended lease or the sale of the freehold, ensuring you are not prevented from extending or securing your ownership.
Why extend your lease?
Extending your lease is a proactive step that provides several important benefits:
Increase your property’s value – A long lease makes your property a more valuable asset in the market, often increasing its sale price.
Easier to sell & remortgage – Many lenders are reluctant to offer a mortgage on properties with a short lease, typically under 80 years. Extending your lease makes it a more attractive and viable option for prospective buyers and lenders.
Avoid Marriage Value – When your lease falls below 80 years, the cost of extending it significantly increases due to Marriage Value, an additional payment made to the freeholder. Extending your lease before this point is crucial to keeping costs down.
Take control of your investment – A longer lease gives you greater control over your property, providing you with security and peace of mind for the future.
Guiding you through the lease extension process
There are two main routes to extending a lease: the formal statutory route or an informal negotiated agreement. Our expert solicitors will advise you on the best path for your situation and handle all aspects of the process.
- Initial advice & valuation– Before a formal notice can be served on your freeholder requesting a lease extension, you will need to obtain a valuation from a qualified surveyor who will be able to assess the likely premium payable to extend your lease. Depending on the area, we can recommend a specialist valuer to determine the premium you will need to pay the freeholder.
- Serving the notice statutory route–We will serve a legal notice on the freeholder under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. This formally initiates the process and sets a clear legal framework.
- Tribunal proceedings where required– If the premium or terms cannot be agreed, our litigation team can represent you in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to have the terms determined.
- Completion– Once a premium and new lease terms are agreed upon or determined, we will manage the legal completion of the lease extension. We will ensure all documents are signed, funds are transferred, and the new, extended lease is officially registered at the Land Registry.
What is the difference between the statutory and non statutory route?
Guiding you through the enfranchisement process
The enfranchisement process is complex, but our experienced team will guide you through each stage, protecting your interests and ensuring a successful outcome.
- Initial qualification– We will first need to ascertain that you, your property, and your fellow tenants where relevant meet all the necessary qualification criteria under the relevant act.
- Valuation– You will need to instruct a specialist valuer who will assess the likely premium payable to the freeholder. This is a crucial step to ensure you pay a fair price for your freehold.
- Serving the notice– We will prepare and serve the formal legal notice on the freeholder on your behalf, formally initiating the claim and protecting your legal rights.
- Negotiation & dispute resolution– Once the landlord serves their counter-notice, we will work closely with your valuer to negotiate a final price and terms. If an agreement cannot be reached, we will represent you at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to have the terms determined.
- Completion– Once the premium and terms are agreed or determined, we will manage the legal completion of the purchase, ensuring the title is transferred and registered in your name at the Land Registry.
Click here to read more about the leasehold enfranchisement process.
Meet the team
To learn more about our experienced team who will support you with your leasehold enfranchisement process visit our ‘Meet the team page’.
Each team member brings a wealth of knowledge in leasehold enfranchisement, leasehold extensions and leasehold disputes, to meet all your legal needs.
Why choose HRJ Foreman Laws for your leasehold enfranchisement?
Leasehold enfranchisement is a highly specialised area of law. We provide the expert guidance you need to secure your property for the long term and, where appropriate, take full control of your freehold.
Recognised expertise – As a member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP), we provide you with the assurance that you are working with a true specialist in this complex area of property law. ALEP is a professional association that sets and maintains high standards for solicitors and valuers specialising in leasehold enfranchisement.
A proactive approach – We anticipate potential issues and handle all negotiations and legal complexities on your behalf.
Proactive communication – We will handle all communication and negotiation with your freeholder’s solicitors, providing you with regular updates throughout the process.
Experience across all cases – Whether you are extending your lease, purchasing the freehold of your house, dealing with a Section 5 notice that you have received from your freeholder, joining with other tenants in a collective enfranchisement claim, or involved in tribunal proceedings, we have the experience to guide you through the process.
Additional legal services – Our expertise goes beyond leasehold enfranchisement. As a multi-service law firm, we can also advise on related matters such as conveyancing, or updating your Will to reflect your new property status.
Legal insights – leasehold extensions and leasehold enfranchisement
Leasehold Reform: Two-Year Rule Abolished
There has been a significant change to leasehold law in the UK. Nikita Dale-Lewis, from the conveyancing team at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors explains what has changed and what it means for leaseholders.
February 6, 2025
What should you do if you need to extend your lease?
Craig Rennie, conveyancing solicitor from the Residential Property Department at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors answers some frequently asked questions about residential lease extensions.
September 28, 2023
What is the difference between a non-statutory and statutory procedure?
Craig Rennie from the Residential Property Team at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors in Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City answers some frequently asked questions about residential extensions. Why should I extend my lease? If you are selling a property with an unexpired lease term of less...
October 13, 2017
Ready to discuss the purchase of your leasehold or extend your lease?
Contact our Hitchin, Welwyn Garden City or Old Harlow office.
Call us on: 01462 458711
Email us at: info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk
Or simply fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
Contact us today
Hitchin
01462 458711
Welwyn Garden City
01707 887 700
Old Harlow
01279 709100
London
0203 327 9001
Our accreditations
