Jones Battye – The Valuation Experts

Here at Jones Battye we are not just experts in home surveys, we are also a traditional General Practice surveying company, offering a whole lot more for a variety of clients with differing needs and circumstances.  Our RICS qualified surveyors have expertise and specialisms in a wide range of surveying areas to provide you with professional help and opinion.  Here are two common circumstances when you might need our specialist Valuation skills:

 1. Valuation for Probate and Matrimonial Dispute

Changes in property ownership happen at pivotal moments of our lives.  Sadly, these changes are not always for happy, positive reasons like buying our first property or our ‘forever’ home.  When needed, we are here to provide you with specialist valuation services at difficult times, such as death or divorce.

For example, we provide independent valuations that can be relied upon by the parties involved in probate, including HMRC where Inheritance Tax calculations are required.  And we are often appointed by individuals involved in matrimonial dispute proceedings to offer a definitive value of property.  Or we are frequently appointed by the Court itself, to provide an independent report on value when the two parties cannot reach agreement.

Due to our breadth of experience,  we also specialise in more complicated cases where there are multiple or unusual properties to be considered. From houses to retail shops, from student-let portfolios, industrial units and family farms, we have experience across the board in all property types.

2. Leasehold Extension and Freehold Enfranchisement

The different forms of legal property ownership – Leasehold and Freehold and their value can be a complex matter.

When you buy a leasehold property (often a flat or apartment) you do not own the building and land outright but have entered a legal agreement with the landlord or freeholder to hold a lease for a set number of years.  Leases vary hugely in length from as little as 40 years to 999 years.  But, generally speaking, the shorter the lease, the less it is worth.  Leaseholders often only think about extending their lease if they want to sell their property, but if your lease is between 85-100 years it is a good idea to start thinking about extending it as if a lease falls below 80 years it will probably cost more to extend.  On the other hand, you may want to purchase your freehold (freehold enfranchisement), either as a whole or as a share with other leaseholders.

This is where we come in. Before agreeing anything with your landlord or freeholder, it is important to obtain the services of a specialist valuation surveyor and a solicitor experienced in leasehold matters, who work together to ensure you obtain the very best terms.  Please don’t be tempted to manage the process yourself and to accept the figure the freeholder initially proposes.  These are often far in excess of what we are able to agree on your behalf, and we have access to a wide range of Valuation Tribunal decisions to support your case.  Our surveyors will carry out a valuation and look at the specific terms of your lease before calculating a realistic price to pay for extending your lease or for the purchase of the freehold.

How can we help you today? For the full range of valuation services we offer, please see our website or call us today on 02920 625433 or 01685 378894.