Brighton & Hove Lease Extensions: Why Local Valuation Evidence Matters
When it comes to lease extensions in Brighton & Hove, the value of good local evidence can’t be overstated. Every street, every block, and sometimes even every building tells its own story and that story directly affects the premium payable to extend your lease.
As a RICS Registered Valuer, my role is to identify and interpret that local market evidence. The process goes beyond plugging figures into a calculator. We look at what similar flats in Brighton have sold for, how long their leases were at the time, and what adjustments need to be made to reflect location, size, outlook, and condition. It’s this analysis that determines a fair and supportable valuation — whether you’re a leaseholder looking to extend or a freeholder responding to a notice.
Why Brighton is a unique market
Brighton & Hove is a city of contrasts. You can have two flats within a few hundred metres of each other, one a Regency conversion overlooking the sea, the other a modern apartment near Preston Park yet their relativity (the ratio of leasehold to freehold value) can differ significantly. Factors such as outlook, proximity to the seafront, building condition, and management quality all play a part.
Areas like Kemptown, Brunswick Square, and Hove Park tend to show higher capital values per square metre than parts of Hanover or London Road, but even within those districts, evidence can vary widely. A strong local dataset and first-hand knowledge of recent transactions help ensure your valuation properly reflects Brighton’s true market dynamics not generic averages.
The importance of independent valuation
A well-researched lease extension valuation provides clarity and confidence at every stage of the process. It supports negotiations, ensures compliance with the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, and prevents costly disputes or delays.
At Olden Property, every valuation we produce is RICS-compliant, independent, and evidence-based, combining national methodology with local market insight gathered from Brighton and the wider Sussex area.
Working across Brighton & Hove
We regularly act for clients extending leases in:
Kemptown, Brunswick, and Clifton Hill conversions
Central Hove mansion flats near Church Road and The Drive
Modern apartments around Preston Park and New England Quarter
Seafront blocks along Marine Parade and King’s Road
Each of these areas has its own tone of value — and that’s precisely why local experience matters.
If your Brighton flat lease is approaching 80 years, it’s worth getting ahead of the curve. The cost of extending rises sharply once marriage value applies, and an early valuation helps you make informed decisions before serving notice or entering informal negotiations.
Thinking about extending your lease in Brighton or Hove?
Contact Tom Olden, Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer, for a fixed-fee lease extension valuation and clear, evidence-based advice.