Ground Rent - Differs From Other Residents' Invoices

ben27_2

Hey - this is my first post so please excuse any breach of forum etiquette. I bought a leasehold flat just over a year ago. It's a conversion with 150 flats in it. The whole management side has been a shambles and I currently have a LVT tribunal pending for next week. However, in the course of gathering more dirt/evidence, yesterday it came to light that I am paying more (130% more) ground rent than one particular neighbour (who, incidentally, has a much bigger property than me).

Could someone please explain how these figures are calculated and if it is common for flats within the same block to pay different amounts? Could it be "calculated" on the building value as and when each flat is fully converted?

Many thanks

emg

ground rent is often linked to the amount of time left on your lease. If your lease is a lot shorter than your neighbours then you could well be paying more than them.

Doozergirl

I would have said the opposite regarding term but I agree it will be based on your lease. Amounts increase as agreed in the terms of the lease ans if a new lease has been negotiated then the ground rent will have also been renegotiated in line with modern rents.

Nothing you can do about it as the amount was agreed to by the leaseholder named on your lease.

ben27_2

Our leases all have exactly the same amount time left (i.e 125 years from 30th March 2000). My lease does say it is to be increased by X amount every 25 years..... So I presume there is absolutely nothing I can do about it?

gil13

did any of the flats at anytime buy a share in the freehold and perhaps pay a lower ground rent or often none at all, just a thought.

ben27_2

No, there aren't any share of/bought freeholds in the block. All 100% leasehold.

ben27_2

OK - further development; spoke to other residents last night. So far I've have come across 5 different levels of ground rent, and they vary wildly. I pay £400, neighbours pay £300, £225, £200 and £175.... and mine is the smallest property out of them. Surely this cannot be right for leases that were all dated/granted on the same day? (I appreciate that the figures are written into the lease you agree to on purchase, so cannot necessarily be changed, but I am keen to know why this is the case. I have written to the freeholder, but going on past experience, I dont expect a reply).

Thanks for your help

EdInvestor

You could try asking these people for a view, they're the experts:

https://www.lease-advice.org.uk

newlywed

Could it be that a ground floor has easier access and so is higher regarded? or that the upper floors need to use the lift and so have to pay for that?

ben27_2

The lower floors pay less than me (I'm higher up). The lifts come under the service charge.

I've been through the lease advice gang for another matter which is going to a leasehold tribunal next week..... didnt want to bother them again so soon, and besides they took an age to respond to that query..... but guess they're my best shot then.

Thanks for your help!