Ealing Lease Extensions

Living in Ealing:

istorical records suggest that a settlement in Ealing has existed for over 7,000 years, with its origins tracing back to a small dwelling nestled within the forest.

As the industrial revolution unfolded, Ealing gained recognition not for its industrial activity but as a refuge from the smog that swamped the capital city.

Today, Ealing remains home to many leafy green spaces but has plenty of built-up areas that accommodate its numerous residents.

According to the most recent Census data of 2021, the area has a population of approximately 367,115 people.

• Properties: Around 72,440 flats and maisonettes in the borough of Ealing are either rented or leased by residents. A lease extension should be on your radar if you reside in a leasehold property.
• Areas in Ealing: Acton, Bedford Park, Dormers Wells, Ealing, East Acton, Ealing Common, Greenford, Hanwell, Montpelier, Norwood Green, North Acton, Northfields, Northolt, Norwood Green, Perivale, Pitshanger, Sudbury, South Acton, Southall, South Ealing, West Ealing, West Twyford, Park Royal.
• Local Authority: The local authority of the London Borough of Ealing is Ealing Council.

Lease Extension Regulations in Ealing

If you own a leasehold property in Ealing, you can extend your lease by an additional 90 years.

This procedure can be carried out formally or informally.

Nevertheless, if you have owned your property for at least two years, the statutory (formal) route offers beneficial legal protection under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

Ealing Council provide an online form to manage their lease extensions. The form is located on their ‘Freeholds and Leases’ website page.

The form requires the leaseholder or a legal representative to provide a completed Section 42 notice indicating that Ealing Council operates with the formal, statutory lease extension route.

The Lease Extension Company is proficient in formal lease extensions, particularly within London, as shown in our record of case studies.

With our professional experience and knowledge of your borough, we will ensure the smoothest procedure, the cheapest premium and the fairest lease terms for your property.

The Lease Extension Process

View this simple step-by-step overview to understand the lease extension process better.

• Eligibility Check
• The Initial Consultation
• Determine which path to choose: the statutory (legally protected) or the informal (direct) route.

The Stages of the Statutory (Legally Protected) Route:

• Valuation
• Serving of the Section 42 Notice
• Receipt of the Section 45 Counter Offer
• Negotiation
• Agreement of Terms
• Potential Involvement of the Courts

To learn more about the length of your lease, we recommend reading our ‘How Long Will My Lease Take?’ article.

Serving the Section 42 Tenant’s Notice

Before your Section 42 notice is draft one of our firms of specialist chartered surveyors will undertake the valuation of your property for the purpose of the lease extension and identify the likely ‘premium’ (the price of your lease extension) you will pay your freeholder.

Identifying Your Competent Landlord

Our specialist solicitors will also identify the competent landlord is the landlord whose interest in the property is long enough to grant your 90-year lease extension.

Sometimes, this will be the direct landlord or housing management to whom you pay your service charge or ground rent. However, the competent landlord is often the freeholder of the building.

The Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 requires leaseholders to serve a Tenant's Notice (Section 42 notice) on the ‘competent landlord’.

The Section 42 notice commences the lease extension and must include certain key legal information. This is a technical legal notice, and it is imperative that it is correctly drafted and validated to ensure your lease extension is deemed valid.

At The Lease Extension Company, by working with the leading specialist legal firms in this very niche area of law we can ensure your notice is drafted and reviewed by the leading experts in this field of law before it is sent for your approval ahead of the solicitors serving Section 42 notice on your behalf to the Freeholder.

Key Freeholders in Ealing:

Many leasehold properties in Ealing were purchased from Ealing Council under the Right to Buy scheme or acquired on the open market from the previous owner.

Therefore, the freeholder for many properties in the London Borough of Ealing will be Ealing Council.

Finding your Freeholder

Details of your freeholder will be stated in the original lease document provided when you purchased your property.

If you cannot access your lease document, you can request a copy from the HM Land Registry for a nominal fee.

How Much Will Your Lease Extension Cost?

Before embarking on a lease extension, it’s helpful to weigh all the potential costs so you can plan accordingly.

Lease extension premiums are based on the following:

• The value of your property.
• The amount of ground rent you pay and how much it increases over time.
• The number of years remaining on your lease.

Costs can also depend on your route to obtain your lease extension.

• Informal Lease Extensions: Costs are determined and agreed upon directly with your freeholder.
• Statutory Lease Extensions: You are responsible for the valuation and legal costs of both you and your freeholder, plus the premium for the additional years on your lease.

If you’re curious about your costs, please use our helpful Lease Extension Calculator tool to estimate your premium.

The Lease Extension Company’s Fixed Fee Service

At The Lease Extension Company, we adopt a transparent, straightforward approach to this complex area of property law.

To do this, we develop a detailed plan that covers all stages, legal requirements, and anticipated costs.

We then consolidate all expenses into a single, transparent, fixed fee so you clearly understand what to expect from the beginning.

Additionally, you will benefit from the guidance of experienced surveyors and solicitors who will ensure you are not paying any more than necessary for your lease extension.

Get a Quote for Your Ealing Lease Extension Today.

Are you hoping to extend your lease in Ealing? Our team would love to hear from you.

Get a quote or arrange a free consultation with our team of experts by filling out our handy online form, calling us on 0800 098 2770 or emailing [email protected].

Given that a lease is a depreciating asset, the sooner you act, the better value you will get for your money.