Short lease sales
Selling a London flat with a short lease, the right way
A short lease affects value and which buyers can get a mortgage. Whether to extend first, sell with the extension claim assigned or sell as it is depends on the numbers and your timing. We set out the options with your solicitor so you can choose.
- Options compared before you decide
- Priced to leasehold sale evidence
- Worked through with your solicitor
Short lease sales
Get my short lease sale options
Two quick steps. It takes about a minute.
Sole-mandate, single-side
No dual-agency on any transaction. Conflicts disclosed in writing.
Discretion by default
Off-market sourcing, alias representation, NDA-ready.
Audit-ready paper trail
Mandate, briefs, memos and closing dossier — written, signed, archived.
Outcomes
How we approach a short lease sale
The options side by side
Extend before selling, sell with the extension claim passed to the buyer, or sell as it is. Each has a different effect on price and timing.
Buyers who can proceed
Some buyers need a mortgage and some lenders limit lending on short leases. We qualify buyers early so a sale does not fall through late.
Price on real evidence
Comparable sales of flats with similar lease lengths, so the asking price reflects the lease as well as the flat.
Paperwork ready early
Lease, management pack and any extension notice prepared up front, the usual sources of delay.
Get your short lease sale options
How it works
4 steps, one adviser
- 1
Lease review
We look at the lease terms and the years remaining, and ask your solicitor to confirm the position.
- 2
Options and price
We compare selling as it is with extending first, using comparable evidence.
- 3
Marketing to the right buyers
Cash and mortgage buyers targeted according to the route you choose.
- 4
Sale progression
Leasehold enquiries and any extension process managed through to completion.
Market evidence
The London market, from the registry
£560,000
Median sale price
Aug 2025 to Aug 2026
36,006
Registered sales in 12 months
HM Land Registry Price Paid Data
-3.4%
Median price change
vs the previous 12 months
Registry data for London as a whole. See sold prices by area.
Why Belgrave
How we compare
| Aspect | Belgrave Estates | Typical high-street approach |
|---|---|---|
| Who you deal with | One named senior advisor from first call to completion | Handed between valuer, negotiator and progression team |
| Conflicts of interest | Single-side representation; conflicts disclosed in writing | Often acts for both sides of the same deal |
| Fees | Fee model disclosed in writing before you sign anything | Headline rate, extras discovered later |
| Discretion | Off-market and NDA-ready campaigns available | Portal-first by default |
| Paper trail | Mandate, briefs and closing dossier written and archived | Calls and emails, little written record |
How our fees work
Fees disclosed in writing before the mandate starts. Our conduct and fees.
After you enquire
What happens next
- 01
A senior adviser reads it
Your request goes to a senior adviser on the right desk, not a call centre or an automated sequence.
- 02
A personal reply within one working day
By phone, WhatsApp or email, whichever you prefer. Tell us a good time and we will keep to it.
- 03
A clear plan, no obligation
You get our view and the next steps in plain terms. Whether to go ahead is entirely your decision.
What counts as a short lease?
There is no single definition, but leases below about 80 years have traditionally been more costly to extend and harder to mortgage. Your solicitor can confirm how the rules apply to your flat.
Should I extend the lease before selling?
Sometimes it adds more value than it costs, sometimes not. It depends on the lease length, the cost of extending and your timing. We compare both routes with you and your solicitor.
Can a buyer take over a lease extension claim?
In many cases a seller who qualifies can start the statutory process and assign the benefit of the claim to the buyer on completion. Your solicitor will advise whether this is available to you.
Have the leasehold rules changed recently?
Leasehold reform legislation has been passed in England and Wales and parts of it are being brought in over time. We work with your solicitor so your sale reflects the rules that apply when you sell.
Can buyers get a mortgage on a short lease flat?
Some can, but many lenders set minimum lease lengths. That is why we check buyer funding early and may focus on cash buyers depending on the lease.
Do you give legal advice on the lease?
No. We advise on price, marketing and buyers. Legal advice on the lease and any extension comes from your solicitor, and we work alongside them.
What does it cost to sell with Belgrave?
A single agreed fee on completion, disclosed in writing before you instruct us. The options review is free and carries no obligation.
Still deciding? Ask a senior adviser directly.
Useful tools and data
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Ready when you are
Get your short lease sale options
A senior adviser will compare the routes with you and your solicitor and price the flat to the evidence. No obligation.
- No obligation, ever
- A personal reply within one working day
- One named senior partner throughout
Private and discreet. Your details are never sold, shared or added to a marketing list.