Leaseholders handbook

Your home is a flat or maisonette which is part of a larger building which is divided into individual units. Other flats in the building may be leasehold or may still be rented by council tenants. There will be some common elements such as the roof and there may be other communal areas such as entrance halls and landings or walkways.

The lease agreement describes the leased property as well as the following items and topics:

• payment of ground rent which is £10 a year throughout the term
• the responsibilities of Kingston Council for maintaining your flat and the structure and how the costs are apportioned
• how and when to pay your service charges
• repayment of discount if you bought under the Right to Buy scheme and sell within the first five years and arrangements if you wish to sell within the first ten years
• your responsibilities as leaseholder
• general conditions affecting the usage of the flat and the building
• the grounds on which Kingston Council may terminate the lease by forfeiture
• insurance provisions
• the plan which identifies the flat and the building and any other buildings which are sold with the flat (such as a store)

Your lease is usually held by your mortgage lender for the duration of your mortgage.

A copy of your lease can be obtained from your mortgage lender, the Land Registry, or from the Council. The Land Registry and the Council will charge a fee for supplying a copy of the lease.

For free independent legal advice on the terms of your lease we recommend leaseholders contact:

Leasehold Advisory Service
Tel: 020 7832 2500
Lease Advice website