Specialising in valuation, leasehold reform and compensation for homeowners and businesses affected by compulsory purchase

Tom Olden MRICS

Who we are

Olden Property is a chartered surveying firm based in Tunbridge Wells specialising in the valuation of residential and commercial property. With a focus on leasehold reform, the valuation and negotiation of lease extensions and the collective freehold purchase of flats. In addition to this, we are one of the only firms dedicated to supporting people affected by the impacts of compulsory purchase orders.

Olden Property was founded by Tom Olden in 2014. Tom, now based in Tunbridge Wells, started Olden Property having previously worked for GL Hearn Ltd, the London Development Agency and Camden Council over a ten-year period. In the past, Tom worked on major infrastructure projects including the London 2012 Olympic Games, Crossrail, HS2, Thameslink and many council-led regeneration schemes.

Compulsory Purchase

Early in his career, it became clear to Tom that people affected by compulsory purchase were not adequately represented. On every scheme, a council or developer will have a team of surveyors advising them on land assembly and compensation payable to property owners. The same advice is not provided to those affected by the compulsory purchase. This is clearly unfair, and why 95% of Tom’s time acting on compulsory purchase cases is spent advising homeowners, landlords, and businesses whose property is under threat of a compulsory purchase order.

Valuation, Lease Extension and Freehold Purchase

Valuation is the core discipline of a chartered surveyor and Olden Property value both residential and commercial property. Whether our clients seek to extend their leasehold interest by 90 years or a group of leaseholders come together to purchase the freehold interest in a block of flats, we aim to keep the process as clear as possible so that leaseholders can make decisions to their benefit.

Tom decided from the beginning it would remain a small practice. The benefit of keeping the consultancy as small as we have is that if any of our clients have a question, they know they will speak to Tom. Given the length of time a case can take and the complexity of the compulsory purchase and leasehold reform process, a sole point of contact provides consistency of advice, and full knowledge of a case from start to finish is vital.