Service charges are the ongoing costs leaseholders pay towards the upkeep and management of their building, and they are one of the most common sources of dispute in leasehold flats. The good news is that leaseholders have strong statutory rights to challenge charges that are unreasonable, incorrectly demanded, or not permitted by the lease. In […]
Buying a leasehold flat means buying a time-limited right to occupy the property rather than owning it outright forever, and that lease will usually require the leaseholder to pay ground rent and service charges under its terms. Government guidance describes leasehold as ownership for a set period, often 99 or 999 years, with obligations that […]
Buying a leasehold property in the UK can be complex, especially when you start exploring ways to gain more control. Whether you’re considering collective enfranchisement, the Right to Manage (RTM), or switching to commonhold, each option offers a different route to ownership, management, and long-term value. If you’re aiming for a share of the freehold […]
Leasehold and commonhold are two property ownership terms that can be a bit of a minefield. But with the UK’s leasehold reform getting a whole lot of attention throughout 2026, this could be a pretty pivotal time in how we go about buying and selling residential properties, including new leasehold flats. While converting from leasehold […]
When buying a flat you’re doing much more than just choosing a property to live in. You are purchasing into a property ownership that has significant implications regarding your expenses, legal rights, and long term safety. Finding out whether the property you are purchasing is share of freehold or leasehold before placing an offer, remortgaging, […]
Think of the difference between waiting many months for your permission for an essential roof repair, and making the decision to act (and pay for the repairs, building maintenance and improvement) yourselves. This is what leasehold property owners in London and across the UK now enjoy by joining with others to collectively buy their freehold. […]
You try to wrap your head around the idea of owning a freehold flat on the first floor – only to find yourself puzzled and unsure. It’s a pretty odd scenario, even for someone well-versed in property ownership. And you’re not alone – loads of people have the same question! Lenders can be a bit […]
It’s a question that often confuses even experienced flat owners: if you share the freehold of your building, who exactly is your landlord? The answer lies in understanding the legal structure of share of freehold flats, and how the traditional concept of a landlord changes when leaseholders also become freehold owners. This guide explains who […]
Thinking about extending your lease? You’re definitely not the first one to be worrying about the dwindling time left on your lease. For many flat owners, the ticking clock can be more than a little unnerving. But it’s not just about the countdown – it’s about making sure your home is still worth something, and […]
As the introduction of Commonhold looms, experts fear tensions between neighbours will rise – not because the system is inherently flawed, but because it radically enforces the reshaping power, responsibility, and human behaviour within shared buildings. Under leasehold, most disputes are aimed at the landlord or managing agent. Under Commonhold, decision-making shifts sideways, placing neighbours […]
