Purchase of leasehold on a House not a flat

Coleysblues123

Hi All

i am trying to do some research and hoping that i might get some help on here. my question is in two parts.

1. I am one of those unfortunates that bought a new property in 2012 and the property was sold to me leasehold. I have asked the freeholder if they will sell me the freehold and they have declined a couple of time stating that they are long term investors and do not wish to sell the freehold (Can they do this?) or is there any way i can force them to sell the freehold....

2. the 2nd part of my question is i have found a few sites that state that me as the property owner should have the right to first refusal on the freehold. When we moved in for the first few years we were paying the house builder the leasehold fee then after this the lease was sold to a third party company and they now bill us for the leasehold (they are about to increase the fee).

Do i have any legal entitlement to go after the house builder for not offering me first refusal on the purchase of the freehold.

any information would be appreciated 

thanks 

tizerbelle

Right of first refusal does not apply to leasehold houses. https://www.lease-advice.org/faq/does-the-right-of-first-refusal-rfr-apply-to-houses/

You can go the formal route to force the freeholder to sell the freehold to you.  Your prior requests were classed as informal.  https://www.lease-advice.org/faq/i-own-a-leasehold-house-how-do-i-buy-the-freehold/

tacpot12

See this webpage about your first question: How do I buy the freehold of my leasehold house? - The Leasehold Advisory Service

If you meet the criteria described on the webpage, you can force the freeholder to sell the freehold to you. 

See this webpage about your second question: The freehold has been sold without being offered to us. What can I do? - The Leasehold Advisory Service

Do you have legal expenses insurance as part of your home insurance? If you do, you may be able to get expert legal advice and support with your second question.

I've extended the lease on my flat via the formal route. It wasn't entirely straightforward, but it wasn't beyond the wit of a legally-minded layperson. 

tizerbelle

tacpot12 said:

See this webpage about your second question: The freehold has been sold without being offered to us. What can I do? - The Leasehold Advisory Service

As I said above, first refusal only applies to flats not houses. OP is in a house.