Leasehold Hub

What is leasehold? And how does it differ to freehold tenure?

What's going to change & when for leaseholders

Everything you need to know before you buy your flat

Getting a mortgage on a leasehold property can be more difficult, depending on the length of the lease and what’s in the smallprint – but it varies by lender. We explain how to get a mortgage on a leasehold property, what to watch out for and leasehold reforms afoot.

If you are buying a flat or, in some cases a house, it could be leasehold. This means extra legal work for your conveyancing solicitor. Here’s what to expect in terms of the leasehold conveyancing process, how long it takes to buy a leasehold property and leasehold conveyancing fees.

‘Do I need a survey on a leasehold flat?’ is a common question from buyers – and while it’s not a legal requirement, it’s almost always a smart move. A survey can flag issues inside the flat and the wider building that could affect value, safety and future costs. You can use the survey results to renegotiate the price or even decide to walk away.

Whether you already own a leasehold property or you’re considering buying one, it’s vital you understand what happens when a leasehold expires. We look at what you need to do to avoid this happening and the steps to take now.

If you’re asking “should I extend my lease now or wait?” you’re not alone. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 aims to make it cheaper for many leaseholders to extend their lease or buy their freehold, but key changes may not take effect until 2027. In this guide, we explain what the new law means, weigh up the pros and cons of acting now versus waiting, and help you decide your next steps.

If you're looking to extend your lease, an informal lease extension can be a good option. But how does an informal lease extension differ from a statutory lease extension? And, what are the pros and cons of each? Here is everything you need to know. 

Extending your lease can be a long and complicated process. We run through what's involved, costs and how to get the right expert help so you can take charge of every step of your lease extension and avoid the common pitfalls.

Need to extend your lease? We look at how much it will cost, including solicitor and valuation fees. We’ve got a handy calculator to help you – plus see whether you could save on costs by waiting to renew your lease.

Working out how much you need to pay for a lease extension is a complicated business. So, we've asked the valuation experts at Homehold to explain what's involved in getting a lease extension valuation, the costs and how to find a surveyor.

If you own a leasehold flat you don’t actually own the building and common areas. These are owned by your freeholder or landlord to whom you will need to pay service charges, insurance, ground rent and other charges over which you have little control. In this guide we look at two options to break free from this situation; how to buy the freehold and obtain the “right to manage”, and what you need to consider.

If you’re buying or already own a flat, you may come across the term share of freehold. But what does it mean, and how does it differ from leasehold or full freehold ownership? This guide explains how share of freehold works, your rights and responsibilities, and common problems before you buy.

Are you looking to snap up the freehold of your flat? Keen to join forces with fellow residents and take back some control? We’ve got you covered with our step by step guide to buying a freehold.

If you own a leasehold flat or apartment, then you may have the right to manage the building your home is in. Read on to find out more about the Right to Manage, how to take over the management of your building, the costs involved and what you need to consider before you begin.

The rise of privately owned and managed new build estates over the past 20 years has led to freeholders having to pay new build estate management fees on top of council tax and struggle to sell. Here we highlight the problems and your options. Read about the government's latest 2026 consultation proposals and add your views to hundreds of others in the comments section.

The way we own property will change in the future: new leasehold flats are set to be banned and replaced by ‘commonhold’ under proposals set out in the 2026 draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. We look at what commonhold is and how it works.

If you own a leasehold house or flat – can you build an extension on a leasehold property? What about making alterations? And do you need to get the freeholder’s agreement? We take a look.

The sale of new leasehold houses is now largely banned but if you currently own a leasehold house or are considering buying one, here’s what you need to know.

An absent freeholder can lead to all sorts of problems, from causing issues if you want to extend your lease or buy the freehold, to selling your property. But there are solutions. Read on if you have an absent freeholder or are considering buying a flat with an absentee landlord.