What informal purchase advice helps you check
Test the quoted premium
We compare the proposed price with valuation evidence before you accept it.
Check the interest acquired
We help you understand exactly what freehold rights would transfer.
Compare with the formal route
Voluntary terms can be weighed against a possible statutory alternative.
Consider the voluntary route with clearer figures
An informal freehold purchase starts with a voluntary approach to the freeholder rather than a formal statutory claim. That can be a practical route, but it still needs careful valuation advice if you're to judge whether the quoted premium is reasonable. We assess the lease, the remaining term, the ground rent and the property value to establish a basis for reviewing the price and making counteroffers. If you've already been given a figure, we help you understand whether it appears supportable before the transaction gathers legal cost and momentum.
Understand the interest and rights being acquired
A voluntary deal is not only about the premium. You also need to know exactly what freehold interest and related rights are being transferred, and how that compares with the position under a possible statutory route. Lawrence & Wightman explains those practical differences, then fit the valuation and negotiation work together with your solicitor's title and conveyancing checks. That joined-up approach helps you avoid agreeing a price or package before you fully understand what the purchase would deliver.
Frequently asked questions
Can you advise before I approach the freeholder?
Yes. Early advice can be useful because it gives you a clearer view of the likely premium before the discussion starts. That helps you approach the matter with a better sense of value and can reduce the risk of accepting a figure or package that has not been properly tested.
How does an informal purchase differ from a statutory claim?
A voluntary purchase depends on what can be agreed with the freeholder, while the statutory route follows a defined legal framework. We help you compare the two in terms of likely premium, process, control and the exact interest being acquired, so you can decide which route makes more sense.
Why does the exact freehold interest matter?
Because the purchase is only as valuable as the rights it gives you. Before terms are agreed, it is important to understand precisely what is being transferred and how your solicitor's title work fits with the valuation and negotiation. That prevents the premium being considered in isolation from the substance of the deal.