Lease Issue - Help Needed

[SeanNW6]

Hello there

I am facing a problem over my lease extension.

I purchased my property in May 2006.
The lease on the flat was only 59 years (which is why I purchased the flat at a good price).
The previous owner had a legal agreement with the freeholder to extend the lease to 85 years. The cost of this extension was £11,000 plus £1,100 costs plus VAT.
I had planned to pay this sum at the end of the two year fixed mortgage deal and securing the extension.
Sadly, I failed to read the small print. The offer extension outlined above was only available up to the end of May 2006.
I now received a letter from the managing agent, stating that the lease extension terms had been revised.
Am not being asked to pay £16,500, plus costs and VAT. This seems a huge jump in only two years. A rise of nearly 50%. Again, this is to extend the lease up to 85 years.

Could someone tell me what rights I have as a leaseholder to challenge this rise?
Have withdrawn some equity to pay for the extension, but I believe the rise is not justified.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
John

[The Penguin]

Once a lessee owns a property for 2 years they have the right to apply to the Leasehold Tribunal for a new Lease.

However, as you have to put forward a realistic figure the best thing is to ask a properly qualified surveyor to provide a figure for extending the lease.

Basically as the lease is now 2 years shorter than when you applied before the Landlord will get the property back that much sooner which is why the landlords figure goes up as the term goes down.

However, the present day valuation must have regard to property values.

[jasonh]

Hi all. I hope I can get some sound advise on this forum.

I bought my flat in 2001 with an "allocated" parking space which the Lease describes as being "clearly defined". This means that in the Lease it shows the location of my parking space. Over the last 7 years, this parking space has never been white lined for my sole use and the gates to the development has a key code which enables anyone (including neighbours friends etc) to enter the parking area and park free of charge.

I have raised this matter with several Management Agents that have controlled this development over the years but to date, the matter remain un resolved. I have recently put the Landlords (those that I pay Ground rent to) on notice that unless the fee of £18,000 be paid within 14 days, I will sue them through the HMCS on line system. Have I acted correctly or do I need to sue someone else and in adifferent way?

Please someone help as if I wish to seel the property, a good conveyance lawyer will pick up on this outstanding matter!!!

Thanks

Jason