If your freeholder is missing or cannot be contacted, it does not necessarily prevent you from extending your lease. In certain circumstances, leaseholders can apply to the County Court for a vesting order, allowing the lease extension to proceed even without the landlord’s involvement. This article explains how the process works and what evidence is required.

Leaseholders considering a lease extension are often presented with two routes: an informal agreement with the freeholder or a formal statutory claim under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. While informal deals may appear quicker or cheaper, they frequently include retained or escalating ground rents and fewer protections. Understanding the differences between these routes and obtaining an independent valuation — is essential to ensure the terms genuinely protect the long-term value of the property.

Once a lease falls below 80 years, marriage value becomes payable and extension costs can increase significantly. This guide explains why the 80-year threshold matters, how premiums are calculated, and what current leasehold reform proposals mean in practice.

If you own a property near Heathrow, expansion plans could affect value, saleability and compensation rights. This guide explains the main schemes available, the areas most affected, and why early professional advice is essential

Extending a lease is a technical statutory valuation exercise, not an estate agency opinion. Tom Olden MRICS provides regulated, evidence-led lease extension valuations and structured negotiation advice to ensure leaseholders achieve fair and defensible outcomes.

Heathrow expansion affects more than property values. Business owners may face disruption, relocation and loss of income. This guide explains business compensation, blight and compulsory purchase and how expert valuation advice can protect your interests.

Heathrow expansion poses significant risks for industrial property owners, from compulsory purchase and safeguarding to business disruption and income loss. This guide explains how compensation works for industrial assets and why specialist valuation advice is critical to securing the right outcome

Ground rent reform is causing confusion for leaseholders. This article explains whether the new proposals apply yet, whether ground rent is capped, and how lease extensions should be valued under current law.

A practical guide to objecting to a Compulsory Purchase Order, explaining valid grounds of objection, the inquiry process, and how expert valuation advice can strengthen your position.

January 2026 has brought renewed momentum to Heathrow’s third runway proposals, with Government backing confirmed in principle. While construction remains some years away, this policy direction has important implications for homeowners and businesses facing potential blight, compulsory purchase or compensation issues.

A fixed-fee lease extension desktop valuation provides a clear, RICS-compliant estimate of the premium payable, helping leaseholders make informed decisions before entering formal negotiations.

An overview of secured lending valuations, why lenders and borrowers rely on them, and how Tom Olden provides independent, Red Book–compliant advice to support property-backed finance decisions.

In uncertain property markets, assumptions and headline data can expose owners and lenders to risk. This article explains why independent, professionally prepared valuations, grounded in evidence and judgement — remain essential for informed decision-making.

Not sure when you need a professional valuation? This guide explains the key moments when landlords, leaseholders and business owners should obtain a RICS valuation, including lease extensions, rent reviews, tax planning, refinancing and CPO support.

Rent reviews are often misunderstood, rushed, or based on weak evidence. This blog explains the seven most common rent review mistakes and how both landlords and tenants can avoid them, ensuring a fair and well-supported rental outcome.

With a proposed Compulsory Purchase Order now affecting the Lesnes Estate in Bexley, many owners and residents are unsure what this means for their homes and financial position. This guide outlines your rights, the compensation you may be entitled to, how the objection process works, and how Olden Property can help you protect your interests from the earliest stag

Online lease-extension calculators are becoming increasingly popular and increasingly problematic. With more than half of UK flats now below 90 years unexpired, inaccurate online estimates are leaving leaseholders underprepared and, in some cases, out of pocket by tens of thousands. This article explains the key reasons these tools fail and why specialist valuation advice matters.

Many leaseholders delay extending because of common myths about timing, cost and complexity. Olden Property explains what’s true, what’s not, and how to save money on your lease extension.

If your property is affected by a compulsory purchase, Olden Property provides expert support, valuation and negotiation, helping you understand the process and maximise your claim.

The Ledbury Estate Phase 2 compulsory purchase order marks a major redevelopment in Southwark. If your home or investment lies in the affected area, find out what you need to know and how Olden Property can help ensure you’re properly compensated.