Managing company of building that my flat is in asking for copy of my lease?

ChrisM78

The managing company of the building that my flat is in which I own is asking for a copy of my lease - it's a converted house with 4 flats, with the other 3 rented. Are they legally entitled to this or can I refuse?

gwynlas

Why would you refuse as they should already have sight of your lease?

It might be that due to changes in managing agent your lease as been lost and the quickest way to resolve issue is for you to share information

eddddy

You can refuse, but why would you?

If, for example, there's the cost of photocopying, postage etc, you could ask the management company to cover those costs.

Although it's a bit strange that they don't already have a copy of your lease.

gm0

The leases can very likely be downloaded from LR.  For a fee.   And unless missing from there. (unregistered).  
Are public records.

So a management "company" (whether self managed) or via hired agent (with whatever kind of freeholder) a SOF Ltd or a smaller less formalised setup.  Sometimes needs to consult leases and title plans 

Sadly in small and not so small freeholds - as SOF's directors die, move on, record keeping and archives and handovers can be less than ideal.  So them having a copy on file already is common and sensible. But not universal.

If a query - a classical example could be that "custom and practice" has diverged from who owns what on parking - when people moved in and out. And bought and sold.  Or something else happens which requires the checking all leases and/or title plans - for consistency or some other aspect.  It doesn't really matter why.  

But if asked to provide it I'd want to know "purpose" before handing it over.  Quid pro quo.  The general nature of the issue under investigation - if not the personal details of who is involved in / has raised it.  There is no real point in refusing even if they don't share the nature of the other lessee(s) and nature of query or dispute on first asking.  It will become apparent.

It's just the case that some queries require checking the legal basis across the freehold and all leases. Because the legal position will depend on them all.

As lessees faced with this request (you) have a choice

Let them do their job (whatever it is) by providing a copy.  And thus avoiding them incurring - and likely recharging the cost of LR download fees to "manage" the issue whatever it is.  

Or you don't hand it over. And they download it anyway from LR. Incur a fee which likely ends up buried in recharged costs (service recharges).  Either way they have it (bar scenarios where it's missing at LR)

eddddy

gm0 said:

The leases can very likely be downloaded from LR.  For a fee.   And unless missing from there. (unregistered).  

Leases can only be downloaded from LR by Business e-service customers - that's companies/organisations who regularly need to download documents from LR.

So, typically, a management company wouldn't be a Business e-service customer, so they'd have to apply on paper and by post.

But LR say they usually turn around applications in 48 to 72 hours.