Extending Leasehold

[LawdAMercy]

About to view a large leasehold flat in a ‘naive’’ part of London commuter town. It has only 82 years one the lease, peppercorn rent, and is in a large block built as social housing.

If I like it will consult my solicitor but quick poll here to see if it is possible to extend the lease at the time of purchase, ideally to 999 years? And touch guide to the cost? I imagine the freehold is with a housing association, if that makes any difference.

The freeholder may allow you to extend the lease immediately after purchase but they don't have to. Once you've owned it for two years you have a legal right to extend the lease.

This website will give you a very rough estimate of the cost of a lease extension:
www.lease-advice.org/calculator/

You will also need to cover the costs of their surveyor valuation and their legal fees. As the law stands at the moment it's unlikely they will extends to 999 years,the current legal requirement is an extension of 90 years. You may be able to negotiate more.