Freehold ownership options for Leaseholders
If you are a long leaseholder (21 years or more) you maybe eligible to purchase your freehold.
Qualifying criteria to buy your freehold
To purchase the freehold of the block from the council:
- You must be a leaseholder
- You must have a long lease (21 years or more) and must hold 100% of the equity
- Two thirds (66%) of the flats in the block must be sold on long leases to qualifying tenants
- 50% or more of the total number of qualifying tenants in the block must join in the purchase. Where there are only two flats in the block both flats with qualifying tenants must participate.
Do note that a leaseholder will not be a qualifying tenant if they own more than two flats in the block. This will be the case whether they own jointly, with others or in their own name.
Providing the above criteria are met the council can accept the leaseholders wish to purchase the freehold.
Get a copy of your lease
We can provide you with a copy of your lease if you are a leaseholder and we still own the freehold.
How to buy the freehold
You must complete an application form and allow the council to undertake an inspection and valuation of the flats in the block.
Once this has been done, we will be able to send an offer letter to explain the terms and conditions under which the council will sell the freehold.
It should be noted that if you wish to accept the offer you will need to appoint a solicitor to deal with the legal work on behalf of the leaseholders.
Voluntary application
(Operated under general ministerial consents granted by the government)
Qualification for the voluntary scheme requires all properties in the block to be on long leases and all leaseholders must apply. If these criteria are satisfied, the leaseholders must submit an FH1 voluntary application completed and signed by all leaseholders.
An inspection of all properties will be undertaken and valuation produced by the council's appointed surveyor.
An offer letter will be issued advising of the terms and conditions relating to acceptance or withdrawal.
Voluntary application - costs
The administration fee to process the application is £150 per unit. Legal and valuation fees will also apply.
You can make a payment once we have acknowledged your application is valid and you can proceed.
Statutory application
(Operated under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993)
If any of the leaseholders do not wish to apply or a council tenant lives within the block, you must submit a statutory form Section 13 notice from the Home Ownership Team.
An inspection of all properties will be undertaken and valuation produced by the council's appointed surveyor.
The council will reply to your Section 13 notice with a counter notice (Section 21 notice) accepting your terms or putting forward a counter proposal by any given deadline.
The Section 21 notice and any other accompanying documents will advise you of the terms and conditions relating to acceptance or withdrawal.
Equity Share or Rent to Mortgage leaseholders
If you are an Equity Share or Rent to Mortgage leaseholder wishing to purchase a further share or sell the property please complete the relevant application: