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Our Leasehold Enfranchisement Lawyers offer coverage nationwide and can advise you wherever you live in England and Wales. We do not even need to see you!
Although the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act was passed by the UK Parliament in 2024, the collective enfranchisement reforms will not take effect until further implementing legislation is introduced. This may not happen until 2026.
Until then, the law remains unchanged, and all information on this page is current and accurate.
When you purchase a lease, you are in reality paying for a long-term rental contract. Your landlord [technically, the freeholder] retains overall ownership – the freehold – and at the end of the lease, the leased property returns entirely to the landlord. Whilst the lease is running, the landlord has certain obligations including an obligation to maintain the property – but the tenant usually has to pay ground rent and service charges. And that’s why collective enfranchisement is so powerful. It allows leaseholders to join together and take control and ownership of their own block.
But it’s a complex area of law and few solicitors deal with it – that’s why it’s really important to make sure you have experienced specialist collective enfranchisement solicitors on your side from the outset.
The main disadvantage of a 999-year lease is that, while it offers a long-term security of tenure, it still limits the homeowner’s ownership rights compared to a freehold property. In particular:
Service charges: The leaseholder may be responsible for paying service charges to the freeholder for the maintenance and upkeep of communal areas.
Limited control: As a leaseholder, you don’t have complete control over the property and may need to seek the freeholder’s approval for certain changes or renovations.
It means the flat owner owns a lease and a share in the freehold of the building and common parts. This usually offers more control and potentially lower costs, but also comes with management and legal responsibilities.
Yes. Leaseholders of houses have a statutory right to buy the freehold under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (England and Wales).
The process of buying your freehold is a complex one. This is especially true if the block involved is a big one and if there are other issues involved gardens, outbuildings and garages (especially if they are in an undercroft).
In the same way that very few people ever try their own conveyancing, collective enfranchisement is rarely completed without a solicitor. But unlike conveyancing, which is bread-and-butter for thousands of conveyancing solicitors nationwide, very few property lawyers deal with freehold purchase on a regular basis – if at all. Our specialist team of 5, possibly the largest specialist team of its type in the country, and nothing but lease extension, collective enfranchisement and right to manage applications.
Having our specialist collective enfranchisement lawyers on board from day one is often an important factor in avoiding potentially expensive mistakes, keeping disputes under control and providing reassurance to all of those who committed to the project from the outset.
Not always. Some landlords will agree a price informally. However, if negotiations fail, a specialist enfranchisement valuation will be required, particularly for Tribunal proceedings.
The nominee purchaser is the person or company that formally buys and holds the freehold. In most cases, leaseholders set up a freehold company, with each participating leaseholder holding shares.
A participation agreement is a legally binding document committing leaseholders to the purchase. It is especially important for larger blocks to prevent delays and withdrawals mid-process.
If negotiations break down, the matter can be referred to the First-tier Property Tribunal (Property Chamber) within a strict four-month window. The Tribunal will determine the premium.
Your solicitor can apply to the County Court for a Vesting Order, allowing the purchase to proceed. The premium is paid into court and held until the freeholder comes forward.
If no counter-notice is served within two months, the leaseholders’ proposed terms are deemed accepted, allowing the purchase to proceed.
Our experienced solicitors have helped clients throughout England and Wales achieve the best outcomes in enfranchisement, lease extension, and right-to-manage cases.
We also work closely with trusted surveyors and block management companies, offering a complete service from start to finish.
We offer free initial legal advice and nationwide coverage.
No meeting is required, as we can manage your entire case by phone, email, or video call.
A leading team of specialist lawyers providing expert advice on leasehold enfranchisement, lease extension, and right to manage. Dedicated to clear guidance, nationwide support, and practical legal solutions for every client.
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