Leaseholders

Your lease

Other important information about your lease

Extending your lease
Most leaseholders will have the right to extend their lease for a further 90 years.

Buying the freehold
If two-thirds or more of the properties in your block have been sold to leaseholders, you and the other leaseholders may be able to buy the freehold from the council. This is called enfranchisement. You would then become responsible for managing and maintaining your block. More information is available from the Leasehold Advisory Service website.

Moving abroad
If you are moving abroad, you are legally required to provide a contact address and details of a person or agent who can act on your behalf in the United Kingdom. We will need to send consultation documents and notices to this person or agent while you are abroad.

Empty property
You are expected to take reasonable steps to safeguard your home, especially when it is unoccupied. This includes securing doors and windows, and preventing pipes from freezing by draining tanks or keeping the heating on at a low level. If your property is left empty for more than 1 month, our building insurance policy may not cover you for damage from burst pipes, deliberate damage or theft.

Keeping us informed
If you have changed any of your contact details – for example your email address or telephone number – or have recently taken over a leasehold property, contact Leaseholder Services on freephone
0800 40 80 160 so we can update our records. You must also notify the Land Registry of any changes to your name or contact address.

Not sure of your legal rights as a leaseholder?
The government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) can help. Visit their website at www.lease-advice.org or call one of their trained, specialist lawyers on 020 7383 9800 for free legal advice.