Leasehold Property Surveys in Hampstead

Surveying leasehold properties and flats requires special considerations beyond standard property surveys. At Hampstead Surveyors, we conduct hundreds of leasehold surveys across North London, understanding the unique challenges and considerations that leasehold buyers face.

What's Different About Leasehold Surveys?

Leasehold surveys have specific limitations and considerations:

• Limited access to communal areas, main roof, and external walls
• Shared responsibility for building maintenance via service charges
• Lease terms affecting future costs and property value
• Building condition beyond your flat affecting your investment

What We Can Survey in Flats

Your Flat Interior

• Internal walls, ceilings, and floors
• Windows and doors (if your responsibility)
• Bathroom and kitchen fittings
• Internal joinery and decorations
• Heating system within the flat

Limited External Inspection

We inspect visible external areas from ground level and accessible communal spaces, noting concerns about overall building condition that may affect your flat or result in future service charges.

What We Can't Survey

• Main roof (no access without building owner permission)
• Other flats in the building
• Locked communal areas
• Underground parking and plant rooms (without access)
• External walls (close inspection not possible)

Key Leasehold Considerations

Lease Length

Leases under 80 years become increasingly difficult to mortgage and sell. Extension costs rise as leases shorten. We advise on lease length implications.

Service Charges

Request 3 years of service charge accounts. Look for:

• Rising costs indicating building issues
• Major works planned (Section 20 notices)
• Reserve fund levels
• Management company competence

Building Insurance

Confirm building insurance adequacy. We provide reinstatement cost assessments for insurance purposes.

Ground Rent

Check ground rent levels and escalation clauses. Modern "doubling" ground rents can make properties unsaleable.

Common Leasehold Issues

1. Deferred Building Maintenance

Neglected maintenance of communal areas often indicates future large service charge bills. We alert you to visible maintenance concerns.

2. Poorly Managed Buildings

Signs of poor management include untidy communal areas, ignored repairs, and incomplete records.

3. Major Works on Horizon

Visible defects (failing roof, old windows) suggest major works approaching. Leaseholders typically share costs via service charges.

Questions to Ask

• Are any major works planned or recently completed?
• What's the building's maintenance history?
• Are there disputes with the freeholder or management company?
• What percentage of leaseholders are in arrears?
• Is the freeholder responsive to issues?

Leasehold Survey Reports

Our leasehold survey reports include:

• Comprehensive assessment of your flat's interior condition
• Comments on visible building condition
• Identification of potential future service charge costs
• Advice on lease length and extension needs
• Recommendations for further enquiries via your solicitor