Enfranchisement and Lease Extensions

We advise landlord and tenant clients on all aspects of property enfranchisement. Our team comprises commercial property and property litigation lawyers, and we have strong links with other professionals, notably chartered surveyors and property management companies.

We have extensive experience in this specialist area, and the resources to enable us to complete transactions in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. We aim where possible to do so without the need for applications to the courts or tribunals.

We understand that this is a complex area of law, and our team are always happy to speak informally to help work through any questions that you may have, and to advise you on the most appropriate next steps.

Collective enfranchisement

We are able to guide owners of flats that wish to acquire the freehold of their building every step of the way from the formation of the residents’ company through completion of the transfer and beyond to the grant of 999 year leases and subsequent management of the building.

Lease extensions of flats

We have a great deal of experience with lease extensions and act for both landlord and tenants clients. With tenants, we have worked with both individual and group applications. It is possible to make significant cost savings with group applications, and we would be pleased to discuss this.

We also have a great deal of experience in combining lease extensions with the sale/purchase of flats. This area can be particularly complicated, and our enfranchisement team works closely with our conveyancing department to ensure that the process runs smoothly.

Leasehold Houses

Although less common, we also act for both freeholder and leaseholder clients in respect of lease extensions and enfranchisement of houses under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967.

Right to manage claims

As an alternative to the acquisition of freeholds, we are well placed to advise leaseholders of flats on their rights to take over the management of the building. In some cases this can be a more appropriate course of action, especially where there is dissatisfaction with the running of the block or building, but not enough support for an application to acquire the freehold.

Outside the legislative framework

In addition to the transfer of freeholds and lease extensions via the statutory route, we frequently advise landlord and tenant clients that decide to proceed by private negotiation. This includes, where necessary, consideration of the rights of pre-emption that apply where only some of the tenants are involved in a freehold transfer.

Please contact Gareth Williams for further information.