is it true, anybody can buy another persons freehold in the uk?

[gredosman59]

why do i ask? a friend was just about to buy hers, after becoming financially straight. but to her horror, someone had already bought it, for 8,000 quid, she was told if she wanted to buy it, it would cost her now 14,000 quid, after long drawn out legal battle, she ended up paying 22,000 quid, so beware!!!

[bednobs]

freehold is a commodity, like any other that can be sold to whoever the seller wants to sell to and at whatever price

[buildersmate]

Before you wind up too many people, suggest you make it clear that you are referring to the purchase of the freehold of a leasehold property? Only in that situation is this a scenario.
Like every other commodity there is a market of buyers and sellers

[Barquentine]

Check out this link which explains when the right of first refusal applies. Since your friend appears to have taken legal advice I assume her leasehold flat did not meet the criteria but check this link which sets it all out very clearly.

http://www.lease-advice.org/rfrmain.htm

[gredosman59]

thanx for the swift replies. i�m no expert and wasnt trying to wind anybody up. its just that my friend isnt the richest woman in the world. she works hard to survive. its a house not a flat. i will take barquentines advice with that website