Share of freehold

[Stenno]

Hello,

I currently own a share of the freehold to the building I am in and have been paying ground rent to the builder who renovated the building into flats and owns the majority of the 8 flats. Although the ground rent in comparatively cheap, I don’t seem to notice the communal areas being cleaned etc or the windows being washed. I want to pin the ‘manager’ down more.

Does anyone else own a share of freehold? Can I ask how yours is run as currently I don't see much from mine. Do you see the building insurance certificate? Accounts? Do you record gardener and cleaner visits etc?

Any help appreciated. Ian

[Littlepeahead]

Ground rent is just that, and does not cover any maintenance or cleaning, that is covered by your service or management fee which is usually levied by the freeholder. If you own a share of the freehold then I would expect you to be involved in organising all of this yourself unless you pay the builder to do it for you.

A really good place to start is the Leasehold Advisory Service. They don't charge for their advice so make sure you don't get them confused with other people who are basically just legal advisors. Their website contains lots of info and I'm sure something on there will answer your questions.

http://www.lease-advice.org/

[Stenno]

Thanks. Yeah sorry I meant service charge. I'll go take a read of that website now :)