Why Your Solicitor Choice Matters
Your solicitor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during a lease extension. A good one will protect your interests, keep costs down, and make sure nothing is missed. A bad one can cost you thousands — or worse, leave you with a lease that has unfavourable terms baked in.
Lease extensions are a specialist area of property law. Not every conveyancing solicitor has the experience to handle one properly.
What to Look For
1. Specialist Leasehold Experience
This is non-negotiable. You want a solicitor who handles lease extensions regularly — not someone who does the occasional one alongside general conveyancing work.
Ask them directly:
- How many lease extensions have they completed in the last 12 months?
- Are they familiar with the Section 42 notice process?
- Have they dealt with cases that went to the First-tier Tribunal?
A solicitor who handles dozens of lease extensions a year will spot issues that a generalist would miss entirely.
2. ALEP Membership
The Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) is the industry body for leasehold professionals. Membership isn’t a guarantee of quality, but it’s a strong signal that the solicitor takes this area of law seriously.
3. Fixed Fees
Always get a fixed fee quote upfront. Lease extensions can take months, and you don’t want to be on the clock the entire time. A good leasehold solicitor will be able to quote a fixed fee because they know exactly what’s involved.
Be wary of solicitors who quote low fees but then add charges for every letter, phone call, or piece of correspondence. Ask for a full breakdown of what’s included.
4. Communication
Your solicitor should be responsive and proactive. You shouldn’t have to chase them for updates. Ask about their typical response times and how they keep clients informed throughout the process.
Red Flags to Avoid
- “We do a bit of everything” — generalists are rarely the best choice for specialist work
- Hourly billing with no cap — this creates an incentive to drag things out
- No experience with Tribunal cases — even if your case doesn’t go to Tribunal, you want a solicitor who knows how to handle the possibility
- Pressure to go informal — if a solicitor is pushing the informal route without explaining the risks, they may not have your best interests at heart
- Can’t explain the process clearly — if they can’t explain it to you in plain English, they may not understand it well enough themselves
Questions to Ask Before Instructing
- How many lease extensions have you completed in the last year?
- Are you a member of ALEP?
- Can you provide a fixed fee quote with a full breakdown?
- What happens if my case goes to Tribunal — is that covered?
- Who will be handling my case day-to-day?
- What’s your typical turnaround time for serving the Section 42 notice?
- How do you keep clients updated on progress?
The Cost Factor
Don’t choose a solicitor based on price alone. The cheapest option often ends up being the most expensive when things go wrong.
That said, you shouldn’t be paying over the odds either. For a straightforward lease extension, legal fees typically range from £1,500 to £3,000 plus VAT. If you’re being quoted significantly more or less than this, ask why.
It’s also important to understand that solicitor fees only cover the legal work. They don’t include the cost of a RICS valuation or premium negotiation with the freeholder — which can easily add £1,000 to £3,000+ on top. Many leaseholders are caught off guard by this, so make sure you budget for the full picture, not just the legal fees.
How We Handle It
At Zero Down Lease, we work with specialist leasehold solicitors as part of our Guaranteed Price package. Your legal fees are included — no hidden extras, no hourly rates, no surprises.
Get your free lease report to see exactly what your lease extension will cost, including all legal fees.
