Leasehold Enfranchisement

Lease Extensions

Advising leaseholders and landlords on statutory and voluntary lease extensions, including eligibility, procedure and completion under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (LRHUDA)*.  We will first confirm whether you qualify and explain the process.  We then prepare and serve the necessary notices (or respond to them), manage the statutory timetable and deal with the other party and your surveyor throughout. Where terms cannot be agreed, we will take the matter through to determination, ensuring your position is protected at each stage.

Strategic Advice for Landlords and Investors

Advising landlords, developers and investors on managing enfranchisement risk and responding to claims across property portfolios.  We will review your position, identify areas of exposure and advise on how best to respond to, manage or de-risk claims.  Issues such as air space on top of buildings can be tricky to navigate when it is not demised and so we can advise on how best to deal with this.

Collective Enfranchisement

Acting for groups of leaseholders acquiring the freehold of their building, and for landlords responding to enfranchisement claims.  We coordinate the process from the outset, including reviewing eligibility, drafting participation agreements, preparing and serving notices, and managing the procedural requirements. We will handle negotiations with the other party and guide you through the process, taking formal steps where required to secure or challenge the claim.

Procedural and Technical Challenges

Resolving disputes arising from defective notices, missed deadlines, absentee landlords etc., and challenges to the validity of enfranchisement and right to manage claims.  We will review the relevant documentation and identify any technical defects or risks at an early stage.  Where issues arise, we will advise on the implications and take the necessary steps to protect your position or challenge the other party’s claim.

Right to Manage

Acting for groups of leaseholders who wish to acquire the right to manage their buildings. We prepare participation agreements, draft and serve the requisite notices, and guide you through the entire process to completion. We will ensure that the transfer of management is as smooth as possible.

Enfranchisement of Houses - under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967*.

This is still in force and has a different procedure to LRHUDA.  We will establish whether the statutory criteria are met, guide you through the specific procedural steps involved and manage the claim on your behalf through to completion, including dealing with disputes where the claim is contested.

First-tier Tribunal Proceedings

Where matters cannot be agreed, acting in enfranchisement matters referred to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), including contested claims and procedural disputes.  We will prepare and present your case, manage the process and represent you throughout the proceedings, ensuring that your position is properly advanced.