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Dampavan - if you have still a good number of years left to run on the Lease, would it not be worthwhile buying the freehold rather than paying such a high ground rent?  If it is done before the increase comes in to force, this should mean the freehold works out cheaper as the ground rent is part of the calculation of the freehold price, if you get my drift.

Just a thought.

Personally I am no fan of leasehold property and would never buy anything unless it came with the freehold.

Quote: Originally posted by Gowerray on 20/6/2014

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     ......We are contesting it as a group but the Landlord from Hell advised us by letter that we should individually appoint a Solicitor and Chartered Surveyor for each case (that'll be cheap) and submit our findings should we wish to dispute. Or in other words, 'People with money need only apply'.....

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Quote: Originally posted by Gowerray on 20/6/2014

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Think yourself lucky, our Landlord has just increased our ground rent, bigtime Over 200 of us leaseholders on the estate have received our new rents as part of a 25 year review. Price before: £50 pa and £75 pa. New rents vary between £1,100 and £3,500 pa!!!!! I already owe £300 since April 1st. Legal but totally immoral. One Solicitor getting it wrong when we bought, ok, many different Solicitors? Doubtful. Our Landlord, the Labour controlled, City and County of Swansea.
     We are contesting it as a group but the Landlord from Hell advised us by letter that we should individually appoint a Solicitor and Chartered Surveyor for each case (that'll be cheap) and submit our findings should we wish to dispute. Or in other words, 'People with money need only apply'. This is an estate built on an old Steelworks site with ordinary people living here. Young couples with Families, old wrinklies like myself etc. Just your average, working class community.
    Bet Nye Bevan is spinning in his grave

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Quote: Originally posted by Gowerray on 22/6/2014

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Buying the Freehold? Apparently people have applied to buy in the last year and been told 'all sales are on hold until review.' Prices quoted for the 'old' ground rent price for the freehold varied between £4500 and £7500. Under new terms the cheapest will be in excess of £50,000!!! Lease years remaining on all leasehold properties 100 years.....

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As Gram has said, you really must take legal advice.  You have the right to buy the freehold and they can't refuse to sell it to you or "put it on hold".   The law exists to protect leasehold property owners and you need to use it.

Within the legislation is a proper formula for calculating the price of the freehold too, which includes the number of years left to run on the Lease, the value of the property, the ground rent etc.  As you are facing a massive ground rent increase (assuming you can't challenge it) an application to buy should be made before the increase comes into effect.

See a lawyer if you can as soon as possible, preferably one with specialist knowledge.  It may cost you now but could save you thousands in the long run.