What is an Enfranchisement?
Under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, leaseholders can act together to buy the freehold of their building if they meet certain qualifying criteria. This is known as Collective Enfranchisement.
Who can apply for it?
Leaseholders of a building can apply to buy the freehold where at least two-thirds of the property is sold to qualifying leaseholders and provided that the number of qualifying leaseholders wanting to buy is at least half the number of flats in the building. For example, if there are four flats in the building and three flats are owned by qualifying leaseholders, then you would qualify to purchase the freehold if at least two of you wanted to purchase the freehold. You will need to agree with each other how you want to hold the freehold and jointly make an application to purchase.
Before you apply
We would strongly advise you to seek specialist advice on the best option for your particular circumstances. Alternatively, you can obtain further information from the Leasehold Advisory website on http://www.lease-advice.org/information/faqs, who will provide you with free advice and information.
We can proceed with the freehold sale under the formal route where you have to serve a legal Section 13 Notice under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development 1993 Act. You can ask your solicitors to send us a formal application for enfranchisement if you wish.
Note: A valuation will be carried out by an Independent Chartered Surveyor on each individual flat in the block subsequent to a Section 13 notice received. You will be responsible to pay our Valuer’s, Legal and administrative costs, plus the valuation of the freehold on completion.
Further Information:
Please contact the Leasehold Services Team if you require any further information on this matter.
Address: Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Contact Number: 0208 583 3787
Email: leaseholdservices@hounslow.gov.uk
