It is common practice for freeholders to charge the legal costs incurred in dealing with determination proceedings to the leaseholders’ service charge accounts. This means that freeholders can seek reimbursement of their legal costs from the money paid into the service charge pot. Pursuant to section 20c of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, a leaseholder can ask the Court or Tribunal to make an order preventing their freeholder from using their portion of service charge to pay for their freeholder’s legal costs.

Leases usually contain an obligation on leaseholders to pay ground rents to the lessors. It is not uncommon for ground rents to be paid annually and subject to a rent review clause, which can increase the annual payment of ground rent.

It has been reported that some “onerous” ground rent review clauses have resulted in leaseholders being unable to sell their properties due to the rent increasing to a level where mortgage providers are refusing to offer mortgages. This has left some leaseholders stuck in their properties.

The sad reality of home ownership is that most of us will not be able to afford to get on the property ladder without help; more and more people are clubbing together with their nearest and dearest to buy a property together.

However, given that this is likely to be the biggest investment you will ever make in your life, there are some things you should be aware of to avoid the pitfalls and problems which can arise later when the relationship/partnership is less amicable.

Harassment by a landlord may take various forms – it may involve a landlord interfering with a tenant/occupiers use of the property or engaging in intimidating or violent behaviour. Harassment may often lead to, or occur along with illegal eviction.

A tenant’s right against a landlord engaging in harassing behaviour will depend partly on the nature of the tenancy or licence held at the property. The following gives an overview of common forms of harassment.

Occasionally deeds to a property or land may contain an old archaic covenant that restricts the way an owner can deal with the land or property. This may impact on the ability to develop, which can be frustrating, should an owner want to extend their premises or build another property on their land.