Purchasing the freehold of the building
Lewisham Homes manages a number of properties where all the flats in the building are owned by leaseholders. These are usually houses that have been converted into flats.
In these properties leaseholders have the right to buy the freehold from the Council; this is called the Right of Collective Enfranchisement.
Leaseholders can also buy the freehold of buildings where at least two thirds of the flats in the building are leasehold. Certain conditions have to be met before the leaseholders have the right to buy the freehold, these are:
- Where there are two flats in the building both leaseholders must want to purchase the freehold.
- Where there are more than two flats in the building the number of leaseholders purchasing the freehold must represent at least half the number of the total flats in the building
- Not more than 25%of the internal area of the building can be for non-residential use.
If you would like more information about buying the freehold please contact the Leasehold Services team or you can contact LEASE. LEASE is an independent advisory body funded by Central Government. It can give free advice on the law affecting residential leasehold properties.
Buying lease extensions
Some leaseholders have the right to acquire a new lease that lasts 90 years longer than their current lease. Information on this can be obtained from LEASE.
Right to apply to vary the terms of a lease
The need to change any of the terms of your lease rarely arises but where it does, changes can only be made with your's, and the Council’s written agreement, or following a decision by a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
There are restricted grounds for applying for a variation to leases but in rare circumstances a number of leases can be varied even if one or more parties affected by the change do not agree.
