Collective Enfranchisement
Collective Enfranchisement
Most flats which are sold in England and Wales are leasehold.
If you buy a leasehold flat you effectively have a tenancy, albeit one that lasts well into the future. The legal owner of the flat is the person or company who owns the freehold to the property, as the term ‘freehold’ refers to the land and the building that sits on it.
Collective enfranchisement is the process by which the leaseholders in a building join together and buy the freehold. This right to do so comes under the Leasehold Reform Housing & Urban Development Act 1993 (“The Act”)
The word ‘collective’ is important, as it means that the group will gain the freehold of the whole building in which their flats are located.
There are a number of benefits of collective enfranchisement including:
• The leaseholders can grant themselves extended leases of 999 years
• The leaseholders gain control of the management of the building
• The leaseholders can vary their lease so they will no longer have to pay ground rent
• The leaseholders can put right any defects in their leases.
To qualify for collective enfranchisement the building and the lessees need to fit into criteria defined by the legislation. If you are a group of lessees considering starting the process of collective enfranchisement or a landlord being approached under the terms of the Act we can make the necessary checks to ensure that you qualify for the process. If you do, we can work with you to ensure the process is followed correctly towards a satisfactory outcome for both parties.
Collective enfranchisement legal fees
Our fees are tailored to recognise the different options, scale and likely outcomes, ensuring that all parties are fully aware of their legal costs at every stage.
If you buy a leasehold flat you effectively have a tenancy, albeit one that lasts well into the future. The legal owner of the flat is the person or company who owns the freehold to the property, as the term ‘freehold’ refers to the land and the building that sits on it.
Collective enfranchisement is the process by which the leaseholders in a building join together and buy the freehold. This right to do so comes under the Leasehold Reform Housing & Urban Development Act 1993 (“The Act”)
The word ‘collective’ is important, as it means that the group will gain the freehold of the whole building in which their flats are located.
There are a number of benefits of collective enfranchisement including:
• The leaseholders can grant themselves extended leases of 999 years
• The leaseholders gain control of the management of the building
• The leaseholders can vary their lease so they will no longer have to pay ground rent
• The leaseholders can put right any defects in their leases.
To qualify for collective enfranchisement the building and the lessees need to fit into criteria defined by the legislation. If you are a group of lessees considering starting the process of collective enfranchisement or a landlord being approached under the terms of the Act we can make the necessary checks to ensure that you qualify for the process. If you do, we can work with you to ensure the process is followed correctly towards a satisfactory outcome for both parties.
Collective enfranchisement legal fees
Our fees are tailored to recognise the different options, scale and likely outcomes, ensuring that all parties are fully aware of their legal costs at every stage.
If you would like to speak to an expert collective enfranchisement solicitor, please ring us on 020 7924 2919, email us
or fill out our Contact Form. All initial enquiries are completely free of charge and without any obligation.
Putney Office:
1 & 2 Crescent Stables, 139 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 2TN
Gauri Joshi
Solicitor | Partner
Adam Main
Trainee Solicitor
Sheevani Kalyanji
Legal Secretary
Get sound legal advice from Gibson Young Solicitors.
Putney, Fulham, Chiswick, Clapham, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon, Richmond and the surrounding areas in South London. To book an appointment, call 020 7924 2919
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