Leasehold Extension And Getting Neighbours Names And Addresses

[TheFaQQer]

Surely you can only buy it if they offer it for sale, and if they're making money hand over fist from leaseholders, why would they sell?

Why do you think the leaseholder will sell the lease if its easy money for him to just charge whatever comes to his mind in the guise of maintenance or whatever.

Depending on the circumstances, you might be able to get collective enfranchisement under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (i.e. the right to buy the freehold)

[Jeff Maginty]

..

[Paddy]

I am not saying anything about the original poster's situation. I am not making any comment about the original poster's landlord (or anyone elses landlord). The following is just my opinion about leasehold flats in general...

The main thing that puts me off buying a flat is...

I read the "WHICH? Guide to buy, own and sell a flat", and towards the end of the book there is a section titled "The nightmare scenario - and solutions", where they mention several acts of parliament that governments have brought in over the years to try to protect tenants from being shafted by unscrupulous landlords who inflate service charges. An unscrupulous landlord's ultimate aim would be to make the tenant run out of money and forfeit the lease, so the landlord then gets ownership of the flat and can sell it to make a nice fat profit. Despite several attempts over many years, they seem to have still not resolved this situation. I've always had quite a high opinion of the WHICH? publications, so when even they say:

"It should be pointed out that although such a nightmare scenario could - and does - occur, not all landlords are unscrupulous"

...then that really makes me think I would not be willing to take the risk of that happening. The book that I refer to here is dated April 2004, so the situation may have changed by now (but I would be surprised if it has been resolved satisfactorilly, considering how many attempts have been made already by various governments).

Went to a LVT this year. It cam down to what is considered a reasonable charge. A reasonable charge was based upon previous years charge that were unchallenged hence it was an up hill struggle. Managed to get about 20% of the charges deemed to be unlawful. The law is still heavily weighted on the Landlord or Freeholder.

The Leaseholders are such dimwits. According to the Lease they have to pay for all costs and maintenance yet when comes to buying the Freehold they object on the grounds that they could end up with huge maintenance costs. The fact that they have to pay for the same now does not compute.

[SueEllen]

The Leaseholders are such dimwits. According to the Lease they have to pay for all costs and maintenance yet when comes to buying the Freehold they object on the grounds that they could end up with huge maintenance costs. The fact that they have to pay for the same now does not compute.

Lots of people are only interested in things if it effects their pocket in the short term.

They forget that:
1. They have to sell the flat one day and with a high service charge it's going to be harder.
2. They can decrease costs over the long term.

[wobbegong]

Depending on the circumstances, you might be able to get collective enfranchisement under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (i.e. the right to buy the freehold)

Thanks FaQQer, I didn't know that.