Ground rent increase query

MF85

Hello,
hopefully some of you can add clarity. 

I have paid ground rent towards my leasehold property since buying in 2016. As of January 2023 the account was up to date, however at the end of January the company managing the leaseholds sent out correspondence of an increase to the ground rent. The increase is for £51.37 per year, but have sent out demands for the additional amount going back to 2017 for a total of £334.59. Is it correct that they can backdate the increase?

propertyrental

What does your lease say?

Please quote.

But yes, the freeholder can back-date the demand provided the amount claimed is correct.

eddddy

Your lease will tell you how much ground rent you have to pay - and any details of how it increases over time.

Given that the increase isn't a round number - I guess it's increasing with RPI.

If the lease says that the ground rent should have increased by £51.37 back in 2017 - but perhaps the freeholder forgot to ask for the increased amount - it's legitimate for the freeholder to ask you to pay it now, and you should pay it.  

(If you want, you can check the calculation to make sure that £51.37 is the correct increase.)