What to do if your freeholder is missing

If your freeholder is missing, it can be a complicated situation to navigate.

Here are some steps you can take if your freeholder is missing:

Check your lease agreement

Your lease agreement should include contact details for your freeholder or the management company responsible for managing the property. Check if there are any provisions in your lease that address what happens if the freeholder goes missing.

Contact the managing agent

If your property is managed by a management company, contact them to see if they have any information on the freeholder’s whereabouts or contact details.

Check with the Land Registry

You can check with the Land Registry to see if the freehold title is registered and if there are any contact details available. You may need to pay a fee to access this information and find out the outcome if you believe your freeholder is missing.

Seek legal advice

If you have tried the above steps and still cannot locate your freeholder, you may need to seek legal advice. A solicitor can help you understand your options and advise you on the best course of action. You can contact us if you feel you are in need of legal advice.

Consider enfranchisement

If you and the other leaseholders in your building are interested in purchasing the freehold, you may be able to do so through a process called enfranchisement. This would give you more control over the management and maintenance of your property.

It’s important to take action if your freeholder is missing, as it can have implications for the management and maintenance of your property. Seeking legal advice is often the best course of action to help you understand your options and ensure your rights are protected.

About the Author:

With over a decade’s experience in leasehold law, Ian Mitchell heads up the leasehold services department. He is based in our Streatham office. Ian enjoys being able to give his clients certainty of outcome. He specialises in advising leaseholders and freeholders on their statutory rights regarding flat ownership, including the right to buy, right to manage, leasehold extensions, and leasehold enfranchisement.