How Hard Is It to Sell a Leasehold Property? The Truth Revealed

What Makes Leasehold Properties Different?

Well, if you're thinking about selling your leasehold property, you might already be feeling a bit anxious. I totally get it—when I first encountered the process of selling my own leasehold flat, I had no idea what I was getting into. So, let me break it down for you.

A leasehold property differs from a freehold in a pretty big way. With a leasehold, you own the property for a set period of time (typically ranging from 99 to 999 years), but you don’t own the land it's built on. That’s still owned by the freeholder, and you have to pay ground rent and potentially service charges, which complicates things a little when it comes to selling.

The Challenges of Selling a Leasehold Property

Buyers' Reluctance: Why It’s Harder to Sell

Honestly, the biggest challenge you’ll face when trying to sell a leasehold property is convincing potential buyers that it's a good investment. When I tried selling my flat, I was surprised by how many buyers got cold feet simply because it was leasehold. A lot of people prefer freehold properties, because there's no pesky lease length or uncertainty about future ground rent hikes.

You see, as the lease gets shorter, it can be harder to sell. Buyers get nervous about the lease running out, because, well, the property loses value as the lease shortens. For example, if your lease has less than 80 years left, you’ll struggle to find buyers willing to pay market value.

The Costs of Extending a Lease

Here’s another thing: if your lease is nearing its end, you might be asked to extend it before you can even consider selling it. You’ll need to negotiate with the freeholder and pay a premium for that extension. The cost can be significant, and if you don’t have the cash for that extension, you may face difficulty selling your property.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend who was trying to sell her flat. She didn’t realize the cost of extending the lease would be so high, and it delayed her sale by months. Trust me, it's a huge factor you need to consider before putting your property on the market.

Legal and Administrative Hurdles

The Complexity of the Paperwork

Let’s be honest here—navigating the paperwork involved in selling a leasehold property can feel like a nightmare. There’s a ton of information that needs to be gathered, including ground rent details, service charges, and terms of the lease. You might even need to get a solicitor involved to make sure all the legalities are in order.

I recall spending hours on paperwork when I was selling my leasehold property. It’s not as straightforward as selling a freehold home. Things like service charge arrears or disputes with the freeholder could cause huge delays. And while these problems can often be solved, they can add unnecessary stress and cost to the process.

Dealing with the Freeholder

Honestly, the freeholder can sometimes make the selling process more complicated. If you’ve had issues with them in the past, such as disputes over ground rent or maintenance fees, you could face resistance when trying to sell. Some freeholders are cooperative, but others? Not so much. I've heard stories of people having to deal with difficult freeholders who drag their feet when it comes to providing the necessary documentation for the sale.

It’s a little frustrating when you’re ready to sell, but you’re at the mercy of someone else’s timetable. And the worst part? You’re paying for the privilege of living under their rules.

How to Make the Process Smoother

Get Your Lease in Order Early

Here’s a pro tip: before you list your leasehold property for sale, take a good look at the lease length. If it’s getting short (under 80 years), consider extending it well in advance of your sale. This will increase the marketability of your property and make it much easier to find a buyer.

I didn’t extend my lease until I was already in the process of selling, and it caused a ton of issues. Trust me, it's better to plan ahead and avoid last-minute headaches.

Consider Selling to an Investor

If you’re really struggling to find a buyer, one option you might not have considered is selling to an investor. Many investors buy leasehold properties because they’re willing to take on the potential hassle of extending the lease or dealing with the freeholder. You might not get top dollar for the property, but it could be a faster and more straightforward route.

Conclusion: Is It Really That Hard to Sell?

Well, if you’re asking me, selling a leasehold property can be more challenging than a freehold one, but it’s definitely doable. The key is to be prepared. Know the condition of your lease, address any issues early, and be aware of the paperwork and legal complexities. It can feel overwhelming, but with a little planning, you can avoid the biggest hurdles.

And, honestly, after going through it myself, I can tell you that while it’s not a walk in the park, it’s not an impossible task either. You just need to be proactive and patient. Good luck with your sale!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.