Groups of leaseholders and the freeholders who receive their claims
Collective enfranchisement solicitor
Structuring, qualifying and running collective claims to acquire the freehold of a block, from participation agreement to completion.
Buying the freehold of your building gives the leaseholders control of management, insurance and future lease extensions. It is also a group project with strict statutory qualifying criteria, a nominee purchaser to set up, money to raise and neighbours who must stay aligned for months.
We handle the legal structure and the statutory process, and we are candid at the outset about whether a building and its leaseholders qualify.
Who this service is for
- Groups of flat owners in a block considering acquiring the freehold
- Lead participants organising the claim and collecting contributions
- Resident management companies and right-to-manage companies looking at the next step
- Freeholders and investors who have received an initial notice
What the work involves
- Qualification assessment
- Checking the building, the leases and participation levels against the statutory criteria before costs are incurred.
- Nominee purchaser and participation agreement
- Setting up the acquiring vehicle and documenting contributions, decision-making and what happens if someone withdraws or sells.
- Initial notice and counter-notice
- Preparing and serving the claim, and dealing with the freeholder's response and information requests.
- Valuation and negotiation
- Coordinating specialist valuation advice on the price and negotiating the terms of acquisition.
- Tribunal applications
- Determination of price or terms by the First-tier Tribunal where agreement is not reached.
- Completion and post-acquisition
- Transfer, registration, management arrangements and the leaseholders' position afterwards, including future lease extensions.
How Resolve can help
- Give a qualification answer early, before a group commits money
- Structure participation so the claim survives a participant dropping out or selling
- Keep the statutory timetable and the group's decision-making in step
- Work with your valuer on the price and on the negotiating strategy
- Advise freeholders on the counter-notice, the terms of acquisition and costs
The collective claim in outline
1. Feasibility
Building, lease and participation review, with an initial view on cost and price.
2. Structure
Nominee purchaser incorporated, participation agreement signed and funding arranged.
3. Notice and response
Initial notice served; counter-notice received; terms and price negotiated.
4. Completion
Tribunal determination if required, then transfer, registration and handover of management.
Why instruct us
- Group claims are managed as projects, with a single point of contact for the participants
- Honest early advice on qualification and on realistic cost
- Experience of the freeholder's perspective, which shapes negotiation
- Acting on buildings in London, Watford and Hertfordshire
Where we act
We act on collective enfranchisement claims for buildings in London, Hertfordshire and across England & Wales.
Frequently asked questions
What is collective enfranchisement?
It is the statutory right for qualifying leaseholders in a block of flats to act together and buy the freehold of their building through a nominee purchaser.
The building and the participating leaseholders must satisfy statutory qualifying criteria, which we check before any notice is served.
What happens if not all leaseholders want to take part?
Not everyone has to participate, but the statutory thresholds for participation must still be met. Participation agreements record who is contributing, how costs are shared and what happens if someone withdraws or sells.
Which forum decides leasehold disputes?
Many leasehold issues — service charges, administration charges, breach of covenant determinations and lease terms on statutory claims — are decided by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Forfeiture, injunctions and damages claims are dealt with in the county court.
Choosing the correct forum at the outset avoids wasted costs and delay.
Start Your Enquiry
Tell us briefly what has happened and what you need. Email and telephone are both required so we can respond in the way that suits you.