Short Lease Property ? We Can Help — Whatever the Situation
We buy Short Lease Flats at a Fair Price.
We also advise on lease extension, enfranchisement and selling on the open market with a short lease.
What Is a Short Lease and Why Does It Matter ?
In England and Wales, a leasehold flat’s value is directly tied to the remaining term of its lease. Once a lease falls below 80 years, it becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to sell or remortgage. Below 70 years, most high street mortgage lenders will decline to lend against the property entirely, and the pool of potential buyers shrinks dramatically.
If your flat has a short lease, you may be finding it impossible to sell through a traditional estate agent — or you may have had sales fall through because the buyer could not obtain a mortgage. This is an extremely common situation in London, and it is one we specialise in resolving.
Your Options If You Have a Short Lease
Option 1 — Sell to McLaren Specter (Fastest Route)
We purchase short lease properties directly, using our own cash funds. We do not need a mortgage, so the length of the lease is not a barrier for us. We will offer you a fair price that reflects current market conditions for short lease properties, and we can complete in as little as 3–4 weeks.
Option 2 — Lease Extension Before Sale
Extending your lease before selling can significantly increase the property’s value and open it up to the widest possible pool of buyers. We can connect you with specialist solicitors and surveyors who handle leasehold enfranchisement, and we can help you sell the property once the extension is in place.
Option 3 — Collective Enfranchisement
If you own a flat in a block, you and your fellow leaseholders may be able to purchase the freehold collectively. This can be a cost-effective way to extend all leases simultaneously. We can advise on whether this option is viable for your building.
Why Do Vendors Choose McLaren Specter for Short Lease Sales ?
- We buy short lease properties — no minimum lease length required.
- We use our own cash funds — no mortgage required, no risk of falling through.
- We are transparent about how we calculate our offer.
- We can complete quickly, typically within 3–4 weeks.
- No estate agent fees, no commission, no hidden charges.
- We can contribute towards your legal costs.
- We are members of The Property Ombudsman — fully regulated.
Frequently Asked Questions — Short Lease Properties
Q: What counts as a ‘short lease’ ?
Generally, any lease with fewer than 80 years remaining is considered short. Below 70 years, the property is likely to be unmortgageable for most buyers. However, even leases with 85 or 90 years can cause complications when selling, and we are happy to discuss your specific situation.
Q: How much less will I receive for a short lease flat ?
The discount depends on the remaining lease term, the property’s value and the estimated cost of extension. We will provide a clear, honest explanation of our offer and how it has been calculated.
Q: My flat is in a block and the freeholder is unresponsive. Can you still help ?
Yes. Absent or unresponsive freeholders are a common issue, and we are experienced in dealing with these situations. We can still make an offer on the property.
Q: How do I know what my lease extension will cost ?
The statutory cost of a lease extension is set by a legal formula and must be agreed (or determined by a tribunal) with your freeholder. We can connect you with a specialist surveyor to provide an independent estimate before you make any decisions.
Q: How do I get started ?
Simply call us on 0203 713 4667, send us a WhatsApp message on 07500 55 55 60 or complete the contact form .
All conversations are entirely confidential and there is no obligation.
How to Instruct Us
Step 1 — Contact us with your property address and the remaining lease term (found on your lease document or Land Registry title register).
Step 2 — We assess the property and present you with a written cash offer within 24–48 hours.
Step 3 — You choose whether to proceed. If you are happy, we instruct solicitors and agree a completion date to suit you.
Call : 0203 713 4667
Email : contact@mclarenspecter.com