Epping Forest Lease Extensions
The district of Epping Forest, famous for its eponymous 6,000-acre woodland, is located in West Essex and straddles the border between Essex and London, making it a convenient spot for commuters.
Epping Forest is a popular relocation hotspot for Londoners seeking a slice of perfect English countryside without severing their ties with the big city. The area is known for its historic market towns, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and thriving retail and hospitality sectors.
About Epping Forest:
Towns in Epping Forest: Epping, Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill.
Local authority: Epping Forest District Council
Extending your lease in Epping Forest
If you have owned a leasehold flat in Epping Forest for at least two years, you can extend your existing lease term by 90 years at zero ground rent (also known as a peppercorn).
Normally, you have the option to extend your lease via the informal route (approaching your landlord informally to negotiate a lease premium) or the formal route (serving a Section 42 Notice on your landlord and following the statutory process).
If your freeholder is Epping Forest District Council, however, you are required to follow the statutory lease extension process as laid out on their website:
Epping Forest District Council lease extension process
At Attwaters Jameson Hill, we have been supporting Epping Forest residents with the lease extension process for many decades and have significant expertise in negotiating with the District Council on our clients’ behalf.
The lease extension process can be complex and expensive, so it is always recommended to work with an experienced lease enfranchisement solicitor to ensure the process is completed smoothly and you don’t pay over the odds for your lease extension.
It is highly recommended that you seek to extend your lease before the remaining term dips below 80 years. After this point, it gets more expensive to extend your lease and you may run into difficulties with selling or remortgaging your property.
New legislation has been introduced by way of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to overhaul the lease extension process. However, most of the provisions won’t come into effect until secondary legislation is enacted, which is not expected to happen until 2025/26. Given the changes, it is important to take advice on your options.
Extend your lease today with our Epping Forest experts
At Attwaters Jameson Hill, we’re on hand with the expertise and inside knowledge to successfully complete your lease extension with Epping Forest District Council.
Please get in touch at leasehold@attwaters.co.uk or call 0203 871 0039 to talk about extending your lease.
