Selling leasehold flat to freeholder

Diamondsandrust

Good evening

I'm hoping to get a bit of advice. 

My leasehold flat is currently on the market and my freeholder has expressed an interest in buying it and asked for a viewing, which we have now arranged, and have not gone through the estate agent.

The building is commercial on the ground floor, has a privately owned flat on the first floor and our flat on the second. The freeholder owns the commercial property, but not the two flats which come with outside space. 

My questions are these:

If we agree on a sale, can I do this with the estate agent as they did not introduce us? Can I just go through the solicitors?

I am presuming that he will offer under the asking price, however on the upside dealing with the freeholder in terms of paperwork will be easier as it is him! Are there any other pros or cons I should be aware of?

Thank you for taking the time to read.

eddddy

Diamondsandrust said:

If we agree on a sale, can I do this with the estate agent as they did not introduce us? 

Do you mean "without" the estate agent"?

 If so, it depends what your contract with the estate agent says - you need to check it.

But typically...

• 1) A 'Sole Agency Contract' says that you only have to pay a fee if your estate agent or another agent introduces the buyer - so you shouldn't have to pay your estate agent a fee.

• 2) A 'Sole Selling Rights Contract' says that you have to pay the estate agent a fee whoever introduces the buyer (during their contract period).

Diamondsandrust said:

I am presuming that he will offer under the asking price, however on the upside dealing with the freeholder in terms of paperwork will be easier as it is him! Are there any other pros or cons I should be aware of?

A while back somebody in a similar situation posted here.

They said that the freeholder made a stupidly low offer, and when the leaseholder accepted a higher offer from somebody else - the freeholder refused to cooperate (i.e. refused to supply a management pack, answer enquiries etc.)

They suspected that the freeholder was trying to sabotage the sale, in the hope that the leaseholder would eventually be forced to accept the freeholder's low offer.

Diamondsandrust

Thank you for your reply. 

We have a Sole Agency Contract.

It's good to know of others' experiences so we can be prepared. I hope he doesn't do the same!!