Get in touch

Fill in the form below and we'll get straight back to you

Lease Extension & Variation of Leases

Helping you move forward with confidence

arrow Find an Expert
dots
Home/ Lease Extension And Variation Of Leases

Need to extend or vary a lease? We’re here to help

Whether you're a leaseholder looking to protect the value of your property or a landlord managing your portfolio, extending or varying a lease can be a complex process. At Porter Dodson, our experienced team regularly acts for both landlords and leaseholders in:

  • Statutory and non-statutory lease extensions
  • Collective enfranchisement (buying the freehold)
  • Lease variations to update or correct lease terms

We’ll guide you through your options and help you make an informed decision that protects your long-term interests.

Lease extensions: Statutory vs Non-Statutory 

There are two main routes to extending a lease:

Statutory Lease Extension

(Under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993)

  • You must meet specific eligibility criteria
  • The landlord can only refuse if they plan to redevelop the building
  • Strict legal timescales apply - missing a deadline could mean waiting a year to reapply
  • Legal costs are higher due to formal notices and potential tribunal involvement
  • Ground rent is reduced to a peppercorn (effectively zero) for the remainder of the lease
  • Costs are governed by Section 60 of the Act

If terms are disputed, either party can apply to the First Tier Tribunal—but both sides bear their own legal costs, which can range from £5,000 to £10,000+ VAT.

 

Non-Statutory Lease Extension

  • No eligibility criteria - open to negotiation
  • The landlord can refuse or withdraw at any time
  • No fixed timescales
  • Legal costs are generally lower
  • Ground rent is usually reduced to a peppercorn for the new term only (not the existing term)
  • Costs are managed via a legal undertaking

 

How we can help?

  • Advise you on the best route for your lease extension
  • Handle all legal documentation and negotiations
  • Represent you in tribunal proceedings if needed
  • Work with landlords, leaseholders, and managing agents
  • Provide joined-up advice if your lease extension is part of a wider property transaction
Michelle Wilson - Colour - High Res - 018_425

For legal advice on lease extension and variations

arrow Get in touch
dots
quotes

Reena and Beckie communicated promptly and effectively with both the progress and problems during the house sale, enabling the process to keep moving. The sale proceeded in a timely and organised manner. A highly professional team. Thank you both.

Mercer

Porter Dodson Solicitors have been a great help to us for the past 12 years. We have recently been very lucky to have Reena Raval from the Sherborne branch helping us with a property. Reena kept us updated at every step, explained everything very clearly with great communication and made the whole process feel completely manageable for us to understand. Reena dealt with our paperwork very swiftly and kept us updated with clear costings. Highly recommended!

Residential Client

Solicitor Reena Raval handled a house sale for us with exemplary efficiency and care, keeping us informed at every stage, and answering our questions clearly and with good humour. Our thanks to her, to her paralegal Beckie Old and to all the team. We strongly recommend Porter Dodson for conveyancing and other legal services.

David

When we had to sell my late mums home, Jenny and Emma walked me through buying and selling. Couldn't have asked for better help, would highly recommend the firm to anyone.

Stephen

Legal Awards and Accreditations

bcorp_black
L500_porter-dodson-llp_leading-firm_personal-tax-trusts-and-probate_2027
Chambers Firm logo 2027
Investors In People - Awards 2025 - Finalist 200px
Dasls awards Winner Badge 200px
investor-in-people-gold-home