Commonhold Association Service

Take control of your property – Discover how to transform your building from leasehold to commonhold with expert guidance from The Freehold Collective. Our Commonhold Association Services empower leaseholders to unite and manage their properties effectively.

Our Commonhold Services

The current Leasehold and Freehold property ownership system is being abolished, in favour of Commonhold. Existing leaseholders can benefit from converting to commonhold, as the process is designed to address the challenges and complexities of existing leasehold structures. At The Freehold Collective, we help leaseholders come together and exercise their right to purchase the property that they lease and share in the ownership and the management of their building and common grounds.

We advise home owners—including both new buyers and existing leaseholders seeking to improve their home ownership experience—on their best options from Collective Enfranchisement and RTM to exercising their right to Commonhold, following the introduction of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

Our Commonhold Association Service is designed for leaseholders who want to take full control of their property, empowering them to manage both their individual flats and shared spaces through a unified ownership model. The property industry is increasingly supporting reforms to promote commonhold as a modern solution for home ownership.

Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your options

Our Commonhold Association Preparation Process

Inception

During the Inception phase, we lay the groundwork for Commonhold, explaining the costs and value of the process, answering questions from leasehold owners about the pros and cons and considerations of the process and coordinating leasehold owners into a cohesive and effective group.

Acquisition

In the Acquisition Phase, we guide leaseholders into taking ownership management control of the entire Freehold. Leaseholders will be free from all round rent burdens and will each receive a share of Freehold. The Freeholder is then not involved in the property and the leaseholders can then move to Commonhold.

Conversion

The Conversion phase involves transitioning from Freehold to Commonhold. All leases will be replaced by a standardised Commonhold Community Statement, fair and equal for all owners and residents. A Commonhold Association will be formed to allow all owners to have a say in the costs and management of the estate. We guide you through the process and ensure that you are all set up for fair governance, decision making, management and commonhold ownership.

Why Choose Commonhold?

Commonhold offers an alternative to the traditional leasehold system, providing perpetual ownership of your flat and collaborative management of shared spaces. In commonhold developments, all the units in a building are managed collectively under a single legal framework, giving homeowners more control over their property. Commonhold properties provide clear rights and responsibilities for both the association and individual units, ensuring each unit owner has a distinct title while sharing in the management and decision-making for the entire development. Say goodbye to expiring leases and increasing ground rents. Instead, enjoy the benefits of a Commonhold Community Statement that ensures fair and equal ownership rights.

While there are both pros and cons to Commonhold legislation, it can be a great benefit to leaseholders looking for more collective control.

Benefits of Commonhold

  • Perpetual Ownership: No expiring leases.
  • No Ground Rents: Eliminate unnecessary fees.
  • Equal Management Rights: No landlord mediation required.
  • Collective Control: Democratic management of service charges and communal areas.
  • Self-Management Options: Potential cost savings or appointing a professional agent.
Enquire today

Why Choose The Freehold Collective?

We at The Freehold Collective, are all leaseholders who have come together to help thousands of others like us exercise their rights in the best possible way. A multi award-winning organisation, we advise the Government and enfranchisement agencies and groups on Leasehold and Commonhold law reform. We work closely with the Law Commission and other bodies dedicated to reinvigorating commonhold and making commonhold a more accessible and attractive option for homeowners. Using our vast, practical experience, we focus on providing comprehensive consultation and project management for all leaseholders, and are your safe pair of hands.

Commonhold vs Share of Freehold

At first glance, commonhold and share of freehold can appear similar in that both offer more control than standard leasehold ownership, but the legal structures differ significantly. The Freehold Collective supports groups of property owners to navigate these distinctions and transition into fully resident-controlled ownership models. 

Key differences:

  • Feature

  • Commonhold

  • Share of Freehold

  • Ownership

  • Freehold of unit + share of common

  • Leasehold + share in freehold company

  • Control

  • Direct, via Commonhold Association

  • Joint with other freeholders

  • Ground Rent

  • None

  • Usually None

  • Lease Expiry

  • No expiry

  • No expiry

  • Management

  • By owners collectively

  • By owners collectively

    • At The Freehold Collective, we help homeowners find the best option for each specific situation, including achieving their aim of the stability of a Commonhold.

    We guide you through every stage, from initial legal advice to complete project management, so you can make a confident, informed choice about your home and your future.

    Enquire now. We can't wait to help

    Converting to Commonhold From Leasehold Property or Share of Freehold Property

    The Freehold Collective’s Commonhold Association Forming service is ideal for leaseholders ready to replace outdated structures with true ownership of their homes. Whether you own a leasehold property or hold a share of freehold, we guide you through the legal and practical steps to create a commonhold community.

    The process involves:

    • Transferring the freehold estate into a commonhold association
    • Registering a company limited by guarantee at Companies House
    • Replacing all leases with directly owned commonhold units
    • Engaging all unit holders, mortgage lenders, and stakeholders for consent
    • Establishing transparent governance under commonhold regulations
    • Replacing service charges with a fair commonhold assessment

    We coordinate the conversion end-to-end, from legal restructuring to regulatory compliance, so property owners can govern the building themselves, not just hold a lease within it.

    Commonhold Association Services FAQs

    What is the difference between a commonhold property and a leasehold?

    A commonhold property gives you ownership of your flat and a say in the building’s management. Leasehold means you own a lease, not the land, and remain tied to a landlord and fixed terms. Leasehold legislation governs the rights and obligations of leaseholders, and disputes over issues such as service charges or management can be resolved by the leasehold valuation tribunal. The traditional leasehold system is sometimes referred to as a feudal leasehold system, which commonhold aims to replace.

    A block of flats where owners each hold their own unit and manage shared areas together through a commonhold association’s board. Disputes in commonhold are not handled by the property chamber, but are resolved internally through the commonhold association.

    The commonhold association acts as the freehold owner of the land on behalf of all unit owners. You own your home, but not the land individually.

    The commonhold association owns the freehold land on behalf of all unit owners. Commonhold is a legal form of ownership in England and Wales under the 2002 Act. You own your home, but not the land individually.

    Free Consultation

    We’d love to hear from you. Send us a brief message on any leasehold or freehold matter, and we’ll be in touch to book your free initial consultation.

    Our free, no obligation, consultation will include:

    • A brief review of the Land Registry information relating to a flat or building
    • A discussion around the specific problems faced by a leaseholders
    • Feedback based on our review Land Registry records and other information relating to your specific flat or building
    • Advice on your options, pros and cons of the the best way to solve your problems and realise additional long term benefits of your property