My freeholder won't take my Ground Rent

[Finwoodhill]

[boxtops]

Why not? You are obliged to pay it to them.....

[Eve]

Have they given a reason?

Could there have been a change of ownership?

Keep a record of attempts to pay.

[boxtops]

.. yes, and keep the money to one side safely, as it does have to be paid eventually!

[Finwoodhill]

I own a leasehold flat in a large converted listed building. When I bought it 3 years ago the freehold property above was also being sold. The new owner of the property (who owns my freehold) has been abroad for the last 2yrs whilst his property has undergone an extensive refurb - he has just moved in and I mentioned to him that I owe him 3 x £25 ground rent for the last 3 years he just said "don't worry about it" - on my deeds it also says he should have building insurance for the whole building (to which I should contribute 12%) but again he just seems to shrug it off. I don't want to find out I should have insisted on paying a few years down the line - if I just write he may deny receiving, but i don't want the expense of a solicitors letter - any ideas?

[cassa333]

Get him to write a written statement that he didn't want the ground rent.

[chokkie]

I would also keep the owings to one side - you never know .... I would also ask him to provide you with the documentation regarding the buildings insurance. So you have your own copy of it, should something ever happen and you need to make a claim. If you do eventually give him the money, you should ask him for a receipt, so there's no comeback. And I also agree with cassa - get a written and signed statement from him to confirm that he does not want the owed dosh.

[Eve]

If you ever come to sell (or possibly on a remortgage depending on solicitors dealing) you would be asked to produce a ground rent receipt. In the absence of that you would require formal written confirmation from your landlord as leases would usually contain a provision for forfeiture of the lease for non-payment of ground rent.