Has anyone done this?
Daughter owns an ex council flat (bought privately, NOT from the local authority) near Cambridge. She has a long mortgage on it, because she bought it in her 20's.
She needs to sell. HOWEVER, it turns out, it now only has 65 years remaining on the lease. She's approached the Freeholder, who are the local housing association.
Apparently, you have to appoint a solicitor who will arrange a valuation of the extension of the lease (the housing association will only extend by 90 years, no less). Daughter would be liable for her solicitor's costs. The housing association's solicitor's costs. Plus the costs for 2 valuations (hers and the housing association). That is BEFORE the cost of the extension to the lease.
She can't be given costs prior to undertaking the request, so would still be liable for the costs of 2 solicitors and 2 valuations even if she doesn't go ahead. She's a single mum with little money.
Being moved along by someone who "wants your place".
BBC Two- Surgeons: At the edge of Life