Westminster Lease Extension Solicitors
Specialists in dealing with the City of Westminster Council and large private estates (Grosvenor, Cadogan) in Central London.
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Prime Central London Specialists
Westminster property values are among the highest in the world. Trust our expert team to negotiate the correct premium and protect your investment.
Free Initial AdviceDealing with Westminster Council
Expert advice for leaseholders in Maida Vale, Pimlico, Bayswater, and St John's Wood.
High Value, High Stakes
Extending a lease in the City of Westminster involves some of the highest property values in the country. Even small differences in the valuation variables can lead to a premium difference of tens of thousands of pounds.
Westminster City Council generally adheres to the Statutory Route. They employ specialist external valuers who are very astute regarding the prime London market. They will often argue for high 'relativity' rates to maximize the premium payable to the Council.
Because the financial stakes are so high in Westminster, it is critical to have a solicitor who is not afraid to challenge these valuations using the latest case law and tribunal decisions.
Case Study: Pimlico Negotiation
The Property: A 1-bedroom flat in a Westminster Council block in Pimlico (SW1).
The Challenge: The Council served a Counter-Notice demanding £15,500. Their valuer argued that the lease was shorter than we calculated due to a technicality in the original commencement date, and pushed for a very high freehold value based on 'Prime Central London' metrics.
The Hetts Approach: We successfully argued the legal point regarding the lease term commencement, proving our client had an extra 6 months on the term. Furthermore, we provided evidence that ex-local authority stock in the area trades at a discount compared to private blocks, lowering the valuation baseline.
The Result: The Council accepted our arguments to avoid a Tribunal. We agreed a final premium of £11,800, saving the client £3,700.
What Our Service Includes
A complete package to extend your lease in Westminster.
Valuation & Advice
We assess the lease length and Central London market data to provide an accurate estimate before serving notices.
Serving Section 42 Notices
We draft and serve the formal Notice on Westminster Council or the private Estate, locking in the valuation date.
Negotiating the Premium
We handle all correspondence with the landlord's valuers, using robust evidence to argue for the lowest possible price.
Completion
We handle the new lease deed, register it with the Land Registry, and ensure your ground rent is officially reduced to zero.
Fixed Fee Pricing
Transparent costs for your Westminster lease extension.
Recommended for Westminster
Statutory Route
Essential for Council & Private Estates.
£1,750+ VAT
Enquire NowExcludes Disbursements (approx £65)
- Comprehensive valuation advice
- Serving Section 42 Notice
- Negotiating the Premium
- Drafting the New Lease
- Lender coordination
- Land Registry Completion
Informal Route
Only for private small landlords who agree terms.
£1,200+ VAT
Enquire NowExcludes Disbursements (approx £65)
- Legal work & Drafting Lease
- Lender coordination
- Land Registry Completion
- Section 42 Notice Service
- Formal Negotiation
Payment Timeline
To start your claim against Westminster Council, we require an initial payment of £350. A further £350 is due upon service of the Section 42 notice. The balance is paid only upon completion, which typically takes 4-6 months.
Westminster FAQs
Common questions regarding lease extensions in Central London and Westminster.
1. Will Westminster Council negotiate informally?
In our experience, Westminster Council requires the statutory route. Given the high value of property in the borough, they must ensure they receive the correct 'Best Value' for the asset, which is best demonstrated through the formal Section 42 process.
2. I am on a Grosvenor / Cadogan estate. Is it different?
The large London Estates (Grosvenor, Cadogan, Howard de Walden) are private freeholders. While they sometimes have their own 'voluntary' schemes, these can often include retained ground rents or shorter terms. We advise using the Statutory Route to guarantee a 90-year extension with zero ground rent, even on these prestigious estates.
3. What legal fees do I pay to the Council?
You are responsible for the Council's "reasonable" legal and valuation costs. Westminster Council instructs external firms and valuers, so fees can be higher than other London boroughs. We scrutinize these costs to ensure they remain reasonable under the Act.
4. How does the process affect my property value?
In Westminster, a short lease (below 80 years) drastically reduces the saleability and value of a flat. Extending the lease not only adds immediate value but makes the property mortgageable for future buyers. It is widely considered the best investment you can make in your property.
Contact Us
Enquire about your Westminster lease extension today.
Address
11 Wells StreetScunthorpe
North Lincolnshire, DN15 6HW
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Monday - Friday
9:00AM - 5:15PM