Tips for buying leasehold apartments in the UK - Richard Kendall Estate Agents

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When it comes to buying property, leasehold properties are a popular option, especially in urban areas where freehold properties can be harder to come by. However, before committing to a leasehold, it’s essential to understand the unique considerations that come with it. Leasehold ownership means you own the property, but the land it sits on is owned by someone else – typically a freeholder. This can affect everything from the length of the lease to the cost of maintenance and ground rent, so it’s vital to approach with the right information.

Check the length of the lease

One of the first things to check is the length of the lease. If the lease has fewer than 80 years left, it could significantly impact the value of the property and make it more difficult to secure a mortgage. If you find a property you’re interested in, it's a good idea to ask the seller to extend the lease before you proceed with the purchase. This can help avoid complications later on.

Review ground rent and service charges

Next, it’s essential to review the ground rent and service charges. Ground rent is the amount you pay to the freeholder for the land the property is on. Some leasehold agreements have increasing ground rent clauses, so it’s important to check whether this is the case for the property you're considering. Similarly, service charges cover the cost of maintaining the building and communal areas, and these can vary significantly depending on the property’s size and location.

Understand the leasehold restrictions

Another point to consider is the leasehold’s restrictions. These may include anything from restrictions on pets to limitations on making alterations to the property. Understanding these restrictions upfront can save you from potential frustrations down the line.

Consult professionals before purchasing

Buying a leasehold property can be a great investment, but it's crucial to go into it well-informed. If you're looking to purchase a leasehold property, be sure to consult with a legal professional and a property agent who understands the ins and outs of leasehold agreements. They can guide you through the process, ensuring you make the right decisions every step of the way.

Ready to explore leasehold properties? Get in touch with us today and let us help you find the perfect home.

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I recently sold a property with Elizabeth Cooke as the property consultant and the service has been nothing short of exceptional. Great feedback during the listing phase to keep interest in the property, through to weekly updates and A+ chasing of the chain to keep everything on track in the sale phase. Highly recommend, you're in safe hands here. Stephen 03/02/2026

Alice has been so helpful and friendly with my rental application - no question is ever too much! Karen 03/02/2026

Karen Marijewko was excellent and provided us with weekly updates during a difficult sale due to changes in deeds. Thanks for all your help Michael 03/02/2026

Sarah and the team at Normanton has been great with our sale, kept us up to date with proceedings both up and down the chain. Thanks for all the effort Sarah. Lodewikus 03/02/2026

Leah was absolutely amazing throughout my whole house buying process. From start to finish she chased things up and updated me, always had good communication and answered any questions/queries I had promptly. Can’t fault the service at all from Leah, thank you again! Would definitely recommend. Elise 03/02/2026

Liz constantly provided an exceptional service. We had good communication with prompt follow up with all our queries related to the house we were buying. Liz was friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Thank you Liz. AM 03/02/2026

Quick sale (did we price too low?) but everything went through within weeks. Mandy kept us updated throughout the process. We are now living the life by the coast. Happy retirement to us. Edward 03/02/2026

Alison has been fantastic throughout our home buying journey. As first time buyers, we had plenty of questions, and she supported us every step of the way. She chased things up promptly, kept us updated without us ever needing to ask, and made the whole process feel much less stressful. We’d definitely recommend Richard Kendall and especially Alison to anyone looking for a reliable and supportive estate agent. Hayden 03/02/2026

I cannot recommend Richard Kendall enough, I would urge anyone who is looking to sell their home to use this estate agents. We had previously used 2 estate agents prior to using Richard Kendall, I wish we had gone with Kendalls from the start. Friendly, approachable, will help advise you in all matters. Other estate agents need to benchmark themselves against Richard Kendalls. Jo 03/02/2026

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