What careful informal advice protects
See the full package
We review premium, lease length and wording together, not as separate points.
Check future ground rent
Rent reviews can affect value and mortgage ability long after the deal is agreed.
Decide if formal is safer
We compare flexibility against the protections of the statutory route.
Review the whole informal offer, not just the price
An informal lease extension starts with a voluntary approach to the landlord rather than a formal statutory claim. That can sound simpler, but the proposal still needs careful review. We assess the premium, the length of the new lease, the ground rent provisions and any other revised terms as one package, because an apparently attractive price can be undermined by less favourable wording elsewhere. If you've already received an offer, we explain what it means in practical terms so you can see not only the headline figure, but also the long-term effect on value and control.
Compare flexibility against statutory protection
The attraction of an informal route is flexibility, but that needs to be balanced against the timetable and protections available under the statutory process. Lawrence & Wightman helps you compare the two by looking at the lease, the likely costs, the future ground rent pattern and the effect of the proposed terms on saleability and mortgageability. That makes it easier to decide whether to negotiate informally, seek different terms or move instead to a formal claim where the structure may better protect your position.
Frequently asked questions
Is an informal lease extension always cheaper?
Not necessarily. The premium may look attractive at first, but the overall value of the deal depends on the new lease length, future ground rent and the rest of the proposed terms. A lower opening figure can still be poor value if the package leaves you with less favourable obligations later on.
What terms matter apart from the premium?
The length of the new lease, the current and future ground rent position and any other changes to the lease wording can all be important. We review the proposal as a whole, because the practical effect on value, saleability and borrowing matters just as much as the headline number.
Should I compare an informal offer with the statutory route?
Yes, because the statutory route provides a different framework and different protections. We help you understand how the two options compare in terms of likely premium, process, control and long-term lease terms, so you can choose on the basis of evidence rather than convenience alone.