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Lease extension: the formal route

Serving the tenant’s notice (Section 42)

In this guide

Serving a Section 42 notice under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 starts the statutory lease extension process and sets the valuation date, which is the date of the notice. This is known as the ‘relevant date’.

Figures that affect price and can change, such as years remaining and market value, are assessed at that set date, even if negotiations take time.

For example, if a Section 42 notice is served on 1 January 2026, the years remaining and market value will be assessed on relevant information from 1 January 2026, even if the negotiations take time.

Who to serve

Serve the original Section 42 notice on the competent landlord.

Send copies to any intermediate landlords. State in the competent landlord’s notice who else has received copies.

We recommend that you register a notice at the Land Registry using form UN1 to protect your claim if the freehold changes hands after service.

What the tenant’s notice must contain (Section 42)

This will probably include:

  • your full name and the flat’s address
  • enough information to identify the flat
  • details of your lease (start date and original term)
  • the premium you propose (genuine opening offer) and any other sums if intermediate interests are involved
  • any proposed variations to lease terms (if different from the current lease)
  • your representative’s name and address (if you have one)
  • the date by which the landlord must serve their counter-notice

A genuine offer must not be an unrealistically low amount.

We strongly recommend you hire both a solicitor and a valuer to help with the process.

Find a valuation surveyor at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' website.

Find a solicitor at the Law Society's website.

Last updated:
22 December 2025
Next review:
22 December 2027

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