Freehold v permission for loft

[palacegirl77]

Hi
We have lived in our house for 18 months - and want to convert the loft. Our house if leasehold and as we havent been in the property more than 2 years we can purchase the freehold but by agreement. The landlords have come back with a cost of 2.5k - even though there are 930 years left on the lease, and we dont pay ground rent! I have asked them for a price of how much gaining permission from the landlord is instead of buying the freehold as this is the only permission we would need and not planning on ever selling. So my question is:

1. Is it likely to be cheaper if we wait until 2 years before getting the price for the freehold?
2. How much should the permission be (in anyones experience)?
3. Has anyone just built without seeking permission (I couldnt do this!) and it been an issue?

Literally any advice on a way forward would be appreciated....for reference, 1930s semi, converting into kids bedroom. Thanks!

You would be mad not to buy the freehold. It will add directly on to the value of your house and the cost is minimal compared to the costs of a loft conversion.

I agree that you’d be mad not to buy the freehold and not have to deal with the freeholder ever again.

I’m no expert but 2.5k sounds reasonable to me.

Thanks - yes that was our logic - but with fees will be nearer to 4k. With that amount of years left on the lease we've been advised it wouldnt actually add any value - we live in a weird place where house prices never go down and people pay way over the asking - but yes, to be rid of the invisible landlord type thing would be nice!