ground rent charges

Lans77

Hi. I have just received a bill from the owner of the land (freehold) of my property for 3 years worth of ground rent but I have only owned the house solely since Aug 2008 as I bought my ex out, will I be able to get out of paying for all of the 3 years? I lived there with my ex for 2 years before and we never had a bill from them. This is the first time they have made contact and said they have owned it since 2006, surely they can't backdate it? The cost is over £300 so not cheap!

clutton_2

yes they can claim up to 6 years of ground rent, whether demanded or not.

dig out your lease, read it carefully and see what the rent is - some of these new "leasholders" will add on £100s of pounds for "late-payment charges etc) onto an original old lease for £1.2.3d written in 1922 !!! they cannot do this - all they can claim is the amount in the original lease

pors99

we have just had this problem with our house,there is a 'peppercorn' rent on the land the house sits on.
our 'legale' advisor said they can only claim a maximum of 6yrs.

the person buying our house wanted us to ensure that if someone came and collected the rent she would have the £10! to cover it!

according to our neighbour in the 70 years he has lived there no-one has come round for it!

clutton_2

""according to our neighbour in the 70 years he has lived there no-one has come round for it!""

and i bet some anal solicitor still wanted you to buy an "indemnity insurance policy" in case the great great great great great great grandson of the third cousin twice removed of the original owners second half sister turned up in 2080 !!!!

pors99

see my other post for !!!!***E of soliciotor!!

sooz

clutton wrote: »

yes they can claim up to 6 years of ground rent, whether demanded or not.

This used to be the case. Now it must be formally demanded, in a prescribed format.

See about 3/4 of the way down this page, from the lease advisory service

clutton_2

Many thanks - - you learn lots of good new stuff every day on this site