Living in a mixed-use building means your flat sits within the same freehold structure as commercial premises: shops, offices, restaurants, or other business uses. This creates a distinct set of legal rights, service charge obligations, and ownership opportunities that differ materially from those in a purely residential block. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 […]
Most retirement housing in England and Wales is sold leasehold. That means residents own their home but not the land it sits on, leaving them subject to ground rents, service charges, and a landlord who ultimately controls the building. For many retirement leaseholders, this arrangement can feel frustrating and, at times, disempowering. The good news […]
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 […]
An estate agent can call a flat whatever they like, “virtual freehold,” “long lease,” “share of freehold.” None of that is legally binding. The Land Registry title is the only document that settles tenure, and getting it wrong can cost a buyer their mortgage. Consider a scenario that played out for dozens of buyers in […]
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 […]
The letter usually arrives without warning. At Garden Lodge Court in East Finchley, it was a Section 5b notice: the freeholder was selling the block — twelve one- and two-bed flats — at auction, and a developer was already interested. The leaseholders were strangers to one another; the person who had originally contacted us had […]
Imagine a scenario where a leaseholder downloads an Initial Notice template from a legal information website and serves it on the freeholder without appointing a freehold purchase agent. The nominee purchaser clause in the template refers to “the applicants” rather than correctly naming the incorporated limited company as required under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and […]
Freehold acquisition allows leaseholders to gain full ownership of their building and land, offering greater control over property management, costs, and long-term value. This guide explains the process, benefits, and responsibilities involved in collective freehold acquisition for leaseholders, helping leaseholders make informed decisions about their property. What is Freehold Acquisition For Leaseholders? Collective freehold acquisition […]
The powers and rights of freeholders and leaseholders living in leasehold flats are currently not equally balanced. While freeholders have a right to carry out major repairs to the building, or to make changes to communal areas such as staircases or gardens, or to increase the amount of ground rent leaseholders have to pay, leaseholders […]
