Northern Ireland Outstanding Ground Rent

00dantheman

I have outstanding ground rent for over £400 and I am based in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

My yearly rate is £17.50.

I don’t believe I have never paid for over 22 years but could this be inclusive of interest? Are they allowed to charge interest? (I had financial problems so please do not judge me)

I am trying to get my finances together and would like to clear the ground rent arrears.

Am I correct in reading online that they are only allowed to demand the previous 6 years ground rent from me?

Appreciate any help as I am not very good with this stuff! I know I should have paid but legally what are they allowed to demand?

Thank you in advance!

parkrunner

If you owe it then pay it.

spo2

We bought our house with outstanding ground rent on it and were told by our solicitor that they can only claim for the past 6 years

Gilead

No expert, but the Limitation (NI) Order 1989 states:

Time limit: rentcharges

29. No action may be brought or distress made to recover arrears of a rentcharge or damages in respect thereof after the expiration of six years from the date on which the arrears became due.

So, as long as that is applicable to ground rent then they can only seek arrears of 6 years. But they could legitimately claim admin charges etc for your failure to pay. Someone with more working knowledge of that may be able to advise more accurately.

Personally, I would remind them in writing of the 6 year rule and offer to settle with a payment to cover 6 years.

davidmcn

What (if anything) have they actually demanded?

00dantheman

They are demanding payment from the last 12 years ..

17.50 for current year and remaining amount from previous years.

AlwaysWorking

Send them payment for the last six years with a letter making clear this is payment for that period as the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is 6 years. Send a SAE and ask for a statement to show the account is now up to date.