A presentation on the costs and procedures involved in extending a residential lease is being given at the offices of St Albans City and District Council on 23 February at 6.30pm.

Everyone who owns a lease to a property bought originally, by them or a previous owner, from the Council under the Right to Buy Scheme has been sent a personal invitation to attend the presentation which is being given by Robert Wood, a representative of The Leasehold Advisory Service.

However, the talk could also be of interest to people who own a lease to a residential property where the freehold is not owned by the Council.

The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) is an executive non-departmental public body funded by the Government to provide free legal advice to leaseholders, landlords, and other interested parties on the law affecting residential leasehold in England and Wales.

Liberal Democrat Councillor David Poor, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services at St Albans City and District Council, said: “This a great opportunity for anyone living in the District who owns a lease to their home to come along an find out how to extend that lease.”

Leases run for specified number of years, the term of which is set out in the leasehold agreement. Residential leaseholders have been provided with the right to extend the lease under the Leasehold Reform Act 1993.

The presentation on extending a lease will take place in the first half of the Council’s next Leasehold Services Improvement Group meeting on 23 February. This is taking place in Committee Room 3 at St Albans City and District Council, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE.

Anyone who would like to attend the presentation, will need to book a place by contacting Colin Fernandes, Leasehold and Charges Officer at the Council, on 01727 81958 or by email at [email protected] by 16 February 2011.