Extending your lease means changing the terms of a leasehold to lengthen the period you can stay in a property and may involve paying a premium to the landlord. A solicitor helps you assess eligibility, prepare and serve the statutory notices under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, negotiate the premium, and guide you through the formal response process and any post-extension formalities in the English courts or with the landlord.
Where a solicitor protects your position
A solicitor handles the crucial steps: confirming the lease qualifies under the statutory regime, drafting and serving the statutory notice, negotiating the premium and terms with the landlord, and negotiating or settling the lease extension or participating in a tribunal if needed. They manage deadlines, compile valuations, and ensure the legal paperwork correctly records the extended term and any changes to ground rent or service charges.
