If you have a problem with your lease or an issue with your landlord, managing agent or a fellow leaseholder, Britton and TIme Solicitors can help. Our property team have answered some of the most common questions about Residential Leases below.

1. What is a Residential Lease?

A Residential Lease is a contract between a freeholder and a leaseholder governing the relationship between them.

It contains conditions and rules under which the leaseholder occupies the property, for example, not owning pets or completing alterations without the freeholder’s consent.

Also, the lease document is not necessarily absolute, as regulations implied by law supplement the terms in the lease.

2. How long is a Residential Lease?

Residential leases are usually granted for 99, 125 or 999 years.

The length of a lease affects the value of a property. The longer the lease, the more valuable the property will be. If a property has less than 80 years left on a lease, you might consider extending it before sale or negotiating the purchase price before you buy.

For more questions on Residential Leases, please contact our solicitors on 020 3007 5500.

3. What are the responsibilities of a leaseholder?

Your responsibilities as a leaseholder will be outlined in your lease agreement.

The lease agreement will state the ground rent and service charges you must pay. The agreement will also state your maintenance and repair responsibilities, if you are allowed to sublet, keep pets in the property, make alterations and more.

It is very important to seek advice from a property solicitor who will help you to understand your rights and obligations before you sign.

4. How do I find out who my freeholder is?

Depending on your situation there are multiple ways of finding out who your freeholder is.

If you have bought a new–build property, you can find the name of your freeholder on your lease.
If you receive ground rent demands, the name and address of the freeholder should be on the demand.
If the freeholder manages the property, their name and address should be on each service charge demand.
You can use the HM Land Registry website to search for your freeholder via the freehold title register.

5. What happens if I breach the terms of my Residential Lease?

Your lease is a legal contract between you and your landlord. If you breach the terms, the landlord may take legal action against you.

If the court decides that you breached the lease, it could order you to pay damages, legal costs and ask you to put right any breach if it is possible

The landlord may also try to evict you, which is called forfeiture.

If your landlord takes action against you for breach of the lease, you should get legal advice or a solicitor as soon as possible.

Need legal advice regarding a Residential Lease?

Tell us about your case, and we’ll get back to you the same day.

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020 3007 5500

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[email protected]

Meet our expert landlord and tenant law team.

Paul Britton

Managing Director

Sophie Campbell-Adams

Director and Solicitor

Mary Ibrahim

Solicitor

David Wainstein

Solicitor

Rory Lindsay

Solicitor