Download Adobe Reader

You will need to download the free Adobe Reader from Adobe's website to view the PDF documents in this section.

Freehold Purchase is a scheme where a group of lessees buy the freehold of the building they live in, and manage it themselves or appoint their own Managing Agent to manage the property.
 
The scheme is sometimes known as collective enfranchisement.
 
 
Click on a link below for more information on Freehold Purchase -



How do you qualify?

  • The building must be self-contained, and have at least two flats in it.
  • At least two thirds of the flats in the building must be sold.
  • At least half the number of flats in the building must take part in the purchase.
  • Where there are only two flats in the building, both lessees must participate.
  • No more than 25% of the building can be for non-residential use (for example, shops).
  • If a lessee owns more than two flats in a building, they can't participate.
If you do not qualify for the statutory scheme (above) because only half the flats in your building have been sold, you may qualify under Westminster's Discretionary Freehold Purchase scheme.
 
Back to top
 

How does the scheme work?

You serve a notice on the Council, usually through a solicitor. The notice will include the price you propose to pay for the freehold, and should be based on a professional valuation.
 
If we agree that you have the right to buy the freehold, we arrange our own valuation of the freehold. Once terms are agreed, the sale can proceed.
 
We take leases on any flats in the building that have not been sold.
 
You will have to pay our costs, even if the sale does not go through.
 
Back to top
 

What are the potential advantages of buying the freehold?

  • The ability to organise works to the building yourselves.
  • The ability to extend your own leases at low cost.
  • Possible lower service charges.
  • An increase in the saleability, and possibly the value, of your homes.

Back to top

 
What responsibilities would we take on?
 
Your responsibilities would include - 
  • Managing the day-to-day running of the building.
  • Organising general maintenance. 
  • Arranging for major works to be carried out.
  • Collecting service charges.
  • Insuring the building.
Back to top
 

How can we get more information?

Visit the Leasehold Advisory Service's website.  You can also download some information acrobat icon here.
 
Back to top
 

Discretionary Freehold Purchase

If you do not qualify for the statutory Freehold Purchase scheme because less than two thirds of the flats in your building have been sold, you may be able to apply to buy the freehold under Westminster's Discretionary Freehold Purchase scheme.
 
The main differences in qualification are -
  • At least half the flats in the building must be sold.
  • All the lessees must agree to the sale (even if they do not want to take part in the purchase).
  • The majority of tenants must agree to the sale.
  • Where there are only two flats in the building, one lessee could apply to buy.
  • The Council must agree to the sale.
The application process is different.
  • You apply in writing to us, asking to buy the freehold. The application must be signed by all the lessees who want to take part in the purchase. 
  • We ask the tenants, and any lessees who do not want to take part in the purchase, for their views.
  • If enough people agree, we arrange for the freehold to be valued, and send you an offer of sale.
You will have to pay our costs, even if the sale does not go through.
 
This is a discretionary scheme and it is unlikely that we will agree to sell the freehold if there are any factors which could complicate the sale.
 
 
 
How can we get more information about discretionary freehold purchase / an application form?