The questions people actually ask.
General information about buying a freehold in England and Wales - who qualifies, what it costs, how long it takes. It is not legal advice, and every case turns on its own lease. Ask us about yours and we will answer it properly.
Whether you can do it
Can I buy the freehold of my house?
Usually, if you hold it on a long lease - broadly, one originally granted for more than 21 years. The right comes from the Leasehold Reform Act 1967, and the two-year ownership requirement that used to apply was removed by the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. There are exceptions, which is why we read the lease before anyone spends anything.
Can the leaseholders in my block buy the freehold?
Collectively, yes - under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. Broadly the building must contain at least two flats held by qualifying tenants, at least two-thirds of the flats must be let on long leases, and qualifying tenants of at least half the flats have to take part. There is also a limit on how much of the building can be commercial. The 2024 Act relaxes that limit when the relevant provisions come into force.
Can I buy the freehold of my flat on my own?
Not through the statutory route - a block's freehold is bought collectively, because it covers the whole building. A single leaseholder's statutory right is to a lease extension instead. A freeholder is always free to sell to you by agreement, and sometimes will; that is a negotiation rather than a claim.
What if my neighbours will not join in?
You need enough of them to meet the participation threshold, and no more. The ones who take part own the freehold between them afterwards; the ones who do not simply carry on as leaseholders, with the participants as their landlord. Sorting out who is in before the notice is served matters, because a participant withdrawing afterwards can unsettle the whole claim.
Nobody knows who the freeholder is. Is that the end of it?
No. Absent and untraceable landlords are common enough that the statutes deal with them: the claim goes through the court, which can make an order vesting the freehold in you on terms the tribunal sets. It takes longer and it costs more, and we will tell you how much more before you decide.
What it costs
What will the freehold itself cost?
It depends on the ground rent, the unexpired term of the lease and the value of the property, and it is a surveyor's valuation that turns those into a figure. Be wary of anyone who quotes you a price from the address alone. The valuation basis is itself being changed by the 2024 Act, so what applies to your case depends on when it starts.
What do you charge?
£1,495 for our work on one property, fixed, payable when you instruct us. What that covers and what is charged separately is set out on the fees page.
Do I have to pay the freeholder's legal costs as well?
On a statutory claim you are generally liable for the freeholder's reasonable costs of dealing with it, as well as your own. "Reasonable" is the operative word: the amount is limited by statute and can be challenged if it is not. The 2024 Act changes the position on costs, and we will tell you where that stands for your case.
Is there Stamp Duty on buying a freehold?
There can be - Stamp Duty Land Tax is charged on the price paid for the freehold, at the statutory rates, and whether anything is payable depends on that price and on your circumstances. We will tell you what applies before completion.
How it runs
How long will it take?
A straightforward case with a responsive freeholder often runs to six to twelve months. The statutory timetable sets the minimum - the freeholder's period to reply alone is commonly two months - and a missing freeholder or a tribunal reference adds to it.
What if we cannot agree a price?
Either side can ask the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to determine it, within the window the statute allows - and that window is not generous, so it is not a decision to leave lying around. Most claims settle before a hearing, often once both valuers have seen each other's reasoning.
Does buying the freehold get rid of the service charge?
It changes who is in charge of it, not whether the building costs money. The roof still has to be repaired and the block still has to be insured. What changes is that you and your neighbours decide what is spent and who does the work, rather than a landlord deciding for you.
Do I still need a lease extension afterwards?
Once the participants own the freehold, they can grant themselves long leases - commonly 999 years at a peppercorn rent - which is usually done shortly after completion. We will explain how that works for your building as part of the case.
What you can expect from us
Are you solicitors?
Yes. We are a firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; our SRA number and our regulatory particulars are at the foot of every page and in our terms of business. You will have an engagement letter naming the person doing your work before anything starts.
Can you act for everyone in the block?
Usually we act for the participating leaseholders jointly, or for the company they form to hold the freehold. That works while everyone's interests point the same way. If they stop doing so, we have to tell you and some of you may need separate advice - a conflict is something to raise early, not to discover at completion.
How do I follow what is happening?
Through your account on this site. Each property has its own case file with its own case number, holding the instruction, the payment, the identity check and the progress of the claim. You sign in with your own credentials; we never ask for them by email or telephone.
What if I am unhappy with something?
Tell us first - our complaints procedure is set out in our terms of business, along with the time limits and your right to take an unresolved complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. Complaining to us does not cost you anything and does not affect your case.
Your lease will answer most of this.
Send us the address and what you have - the lease, a ground rent demand, the title number if you know it - and we will tell you where you stand.