Gurve Legal is a London-based commercial law firm with specialist experience advising leaseholders, freeholders, and property investors on lease extensions. Whether you are extending a residential flat lease, negotiating voluntarily with your freeholder, or navigating the statutory route under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, our solicitors guide you through every step with clarity and efficiency.
A short lease can significantly reduce the value of your property and make it harder to sell or remortgage. Acting early protects your investment. Our team combines rigorous legal knowledge with practical, commercial advice — so you get the right outcome, not just the right process.
Lease Extension Services
Statutory Lease Extension
Leaseholders who have owned their flat for at least two years have a legal right to extend the lease by 90 years and reduce ground rent to zero. We handle the full statutory process — from serving a valid Section 42 Notice on the freeholder through to completing the extended lease and registering it at HM Land Registry.
- Eligibility and timing advice
- Preparing and serving the Section 42 Notice
- Negotiating the premium with the freeholder’s surveyor
- Responding to the Counter-Notice
- Tribunal representation if terms cannot be agreed
Voluntary (Informal) Lease Extension
Not every lease extension requires the formal statutory route. We advise on informal negotiations with freeholders where this may be faster, more cost-effective, or more suitable to your circumstances — for example, if you have owned the property for less than two years.
- Negotiating premium and new lease terms directly
- Drafting and reviewing the deed of variation
- Advising on ground rent provisions under current legislation
Leasehold Enfranchisement and Collective Enfranchisement
If you and your fellow flat owners wish to purchase the freehold of your building collectively, our solicitors advise on the collective enfranchisement process under the 1993 Act. This can give leaseholders greater control over their building and eliminate ongoing ground rent.
- Qualifying criteria and initial eligibility advice
- Right of First Refusal notices
- Nominee purchaser arrangements
Freeholder Advice
We also act for freeholders facing lease extension claims. Our lease extension solicitors advise on responding to Section 42 Notices, negotiating a fair premium, and protecting your interests throughout the process.
- Counter-Notice drafting and strategy
- Premium negotiation and Tribunal representation
- Portfolio advice for property investors
Leasehold Reform Act 2024 Advice
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 introduced significant changes to how lease extensions work in England and Wales. We advise leaseholders and freeholders on how the new rules affect premium calculations, ground rent, and process timelines.
Lease Extension for Property Sales and Purchases
If a short lease is holding up a sale or purchase, we work alongside our high-value property conveyancing team to address lease extension issues as part of the transaction — minimising delays and protecting your position.
Why Choose Gurve Legal for Lease Extension Advice?
Prompt, Partner-Led Advice You speak with experienced solicitors, not junior staff. We respond to new enquiries quickly and keep you informed at every stage — particularly important when the statutory process has strict legal deadlines.
Commercial and Residential Expertise Combined Unlike firms that handle lease extensions in isolation, Gurve Legal advises clients across the full range of property matters — from commercial leases and property litigation to investment acquisitions. This breadth means we understand the commercial implications of every extension, not just the process.
Clear Costs From the Outset We provide transparent fee estimates before you commit. You will not face unexpected charges mid-process. Our team also helps you understand what freeholder costs you may be required to cover under the statute.
Up to Date With Recent Reforms Lease extension law has changed significantly. Our solicitors advise with current knowledge of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and its practical implications for leaseholders and freeholders alike.
Contact Our Lease Extension Solicitors
Gurve Legal’s property team is ready to advise you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.