Merton Lease Extension Solicitors & Surveyors
Everything you need to extend your lease
No panels. No middlemen. Just RICS surveyors and SRA-regulated solicitors handling the whole matter for you.
At Extension.Lease, we provide specialist lease extension valuations and freehold purchase advice for leaseholders of former Merton Council properties across the borough, where Clarion Housing, acting by Latimer, is now the freeholder of most ex-council leasehold flats. Our experience covers developments such as Thornton House and Lakeview Court on The Downs in Wimbledon, Central Gardens Estate and Cavendish House in Morden, and major estates including Phipps Bridge, Eastfields and Pollards Hill in Mitcham. We also advise leaseholders in Ravensbury Estate, High Path Estate and Abbey Road developments in South Wimbledon, Raynes Park blocks around Coombe Lane, and former Right to Buy flats in Colliers Wood. Our valuations are accurate, robust and grounded in detailed local comparable evidence specific to Merton and Clarion-held stock.
If your lease term is reducing, you will usually have the right to extend it by 90 years and reduce your ground rent to nil under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. This statutory right is particularly important for former council flats where many leases were granted during the 1980s Right to Buy era and are now approaching key thresholds such as 80 years remaining, when marriage value becomes payable. Informal offers from the freeholder can sometimes include revised ground rent provisions or terms that do not fully protect long-term value, so obtaining independent valuation advice is essential.
We manage the entire statutory lease extension process on your behalf, providing a clear and fully coordinated service from initial valuation through to completion and registration of the new lease. Blakes Chartered Surveyors prepare detailed, RICS-compliant valuations and negotiate the premium using strong Merton market evidence, while Arcadia Law serve the Section 42 notice, handle negotiations and complete the registration at HM Land Registry. Whether your flat is in Wimbledon, Mitcham, Raynes Park, Morden, Colliers Wood or South Wimbledon, early expert advice can make a substantial difference to both cost and outcome.
Areas We Cover in Merton
Areas We Cover in Merton
Wimbledon (SW19) — Prime & Diverse Leasehold Stock
We handle lease extensions for properties in sought-after mansion blocks like Thornton House and Lakeview Court on The Downs, modern developments such as New Wimbledon Theatre Apartments on The Broadway, and ex-local authority schemes including Pelham Road Estate and Merton Hall Road. Riverside leaseholds near Wimbledon Park also form part of our portfolio.
Raynes Park (SW20) — Commuter Appeal
Our Raynes Park work includes purpose-built flats along Grand Drive, 1930s maisonettes near Coombe Lane, and ex-local authority stock in Durham Road Estate. We also act on lease extensions for smaller private developments like Chapman Square on the Wimbledon Hill fringes.
Morden (SM4) — Affordable Leasehold Homes
In Morden, we cover lease extensions for flats in Central Gardens Estate, purpose-built blocks along London Road, and 1960s schemes near Morden Underground Station. Private developments such as Cavendish House and Kingswood Court are also common instruction points.
Mitcham (CR4) — Regeneration Hotspot
Mitcham lease extensions include ex-local authority estates like Phipps Bridge Estate and Eastfields Estate, plus 1930s maisonettes on Tamworth Lane. We also work on newer developments such as The Willows near Mitcham Eastfields Station.
Colliers Wood (SW19) — Strong Rental Demand
We work on flats in modern riverside developments like Hardwicks Square and Britannia Point, as well as ex-council blocks off Christchurch Road and Fortescue Road. The Northern Line connection makes Colliers Wood popular with investors and first-time buyers alike.
South Wimbledon (SW19) — Mixed Stock Near Transport
South Wimbledon lease extensions range from ex-local authority flats on Merton High Street to private blocks like The Priory. We also cover maisonettes and conversions along Kingston Road and Morden Road.
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Or request a free initial consultation for your Merton lease extension or freehold purchase.
What’s Involved in the Lease Extension Process?
The lease extension process involves several stages. We handle everything so you can relax while we take care of the details.
Stage 1: Valuation and Preparation
Our expert team at Blakes Chartered Surveyors will assess your property, taking into account comparable properties and your lease details to calculate the premium for your lease extension.
Stage 2: Notice and Negotiation
Once we have a clear idea of the extension premium, we’ll serve the Section 42 Notice to your freeholder, officially starting the process. Arcadia Law will manage the service of this notice and any legal correspondence. If necessary, Blakes Chartered Surveyors will negotiate with your freeholder to secure a fair price.
Stage 3: Conveyancing and Completion
Once the terms are agreed, Arcadia Law will handle all the legal paperwork and ensure your lease extension is registered with the Land Registry. You’ll then have peace of mind knowing your lease has been extended by 90 years, and the ground rent has been removed.
How the Statutory Lease Extension Process Works
How Much Does a Lease Extension Cost?
The cost of extending your lease depends on several factors, including whether your property is under the ownership of Merton Council or a private freeholder.
- Merton Council properties tend to have lower costs, as they generally have long leases (125 years) with minimal ground rents (e.g., £10 per year).
- Private freeholders may require a higher premium, especially if your lease has under 80 years remaining or you are paying rising ground rent.
In addition to the premium and the landlords recoverable costs, you’ll also need to budget for our fixed professional fee of £2,750 + VAT*, which includes all valuation, negotiation, and legal work. This fee is split into two equal instalments, making the payment process straightforward and manageable.
Contact us for a free all inclusive estimate of the total cost of your lease extension, without obligation.
Lease Extension Calculator
Extending your lease is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your property’s value and mortgageability. If your lease is under 100 years or has a high ground rent, its value may already be affected. Once it falls below 80 years, the cost of extending increases significantly due to marriage value.
Our free, instant Lease Extension Calculator gives you an instant estimate of the premium payable under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. It’s a quick, useful guide for leaseholders wanting to understand the likely cost of extending their lease before taking formal advice.
Extensive Experience Across Merton & London
We have a proven track record working with leaseholders in Merton, including properties under the ownership of the local authority and private freeholders. Whether you live in a purpose-built flat, a converted property, or a large housing development, we’ve handled it all
Why Merton Leaseholders Choose extension.lease
- Local insight: We name actual developments and estates where leasehold properties are located.
- Evidence-led valuations: Using comparable sales from within the borough to support our reports.
- End-to-end support: Valuation by Blakes Chartered Surveyors; notices and conveyancing by Arcadia Law.
- Transparent fees: Fixed-fee quotes, no surprises.
Recent Cases We've Handled in This Area
Everything you need to extend your lease
Cambridge Road I Raynes Park
SW20
Statutory Lease Extension
Lyle Court I Morden
SM4
Statutory Lease Extension
Shelton Road I Wimbledon
SW19
Freehold Valuation
Chobham Gardens I Wimbledon
SW19
Statutory Lease Extension
Smithwood Close I Wimbledon
SW19
Statutory Lease Extension
Woodside I Wimbledon
SW19
Statutory Lease Extension
Get Started with Your Lease Extension in Merton
Take the first step towards extending your lease with confidence. Book a call today with our expert team or get in touch to learn more about how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
A statutory lease extension is a legal right that allows leaseholders to extend their lease by 90 years and remove any ground rent. This right is granted under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, and it applies to almost all leaseholders in the UK, whether your property is owned by a local authority or a private landlord.
The entire lease extension process typically takes between 6 to 12 months. This includes the valuation, notice serving, negotiations with the freeholder, and legal work to register the new lease. However, the exact time can vary depending on factors like the complexity of negotiations or if any issues arise with the property documents.
The premium is the price you pay to extend your lease. It depends on several factors:
- The value of your property with a long lease.
- The number of years remaining on your current lease.
- The amount of ground rent you pay and how it increases over time.
Our surveyors will carry out a valuation to calculate a fair premium for your lease extension and negotiate where required to ensure you do not overpay.
If your lease has less than 80 years left, the cost of your lease extension will usually be higher. This is because properties with shorter leases are considered less valuable, and the cost to extend is affected by something called the marriage value, which is the increase in the property's value once the lease is extended. To avoid higher costs, it’s often best to act before your lease drops below 80 years.
Yes, your freeholder may charge fees for their involvement in the lease extension process. These fees typically cover the cost of legal work, including the drafting and registration of the new lease. While these fees are usually similar to the costs you incur, they can sometimes be higher depending on the freeholder's approach.
