building on leased ground.

[ambassabuild]

I own a property that I converted into 2 flats 20yr ago. I own the freehold and let the ground floor flat out, I sold the 1st floor flat at the time of conversion on 100 yr lease. Some 8 years ago this flat was sold to the people next door, I have just found out (winds have blown fence down) that the next door people have taken down the fence between their boundary and 1st floor flat and turfed this over. Additionally they have built a brick built building across and on the land of 1st floor flat and next door,and have been told people residing in it. How do I stand in approaching them for recompense or is it now to late, or go to solicitors...Thanks for any advice.

[Richard1966]

Sounds like your saying they have built on your land without permission. Defo see solicitor as without the freeloaders consent the building is illegal. Take action immediately.

[d9f1c7]

Just demolish what is on your land and rebuild the fence.

[tonywiltshire]

The granting of a long lease is granting ownership of the property under lease, all they actually own is the lease and it will depend on what conditions are in the lease regarding alterations that will decide if they have acted without authority. You should be secure from the Commonhold & leasehold reform act 2002, if there is only one flat with a long lease and the other with an Assured shorthold tenancy. But I would not take precipitous action without checking your legal position.
There is a Leasehold Advisory service in London and this may be a good starting point (telephone [phone])