Tenants of apartments and houses have various different opportunities of collaborating to acquire their landlord’s interest in the building.

There has been a large amount of political meddling in recent years and the rules are therefore extremely complex and difficult, for both landlords and tenants.

We have advised both landlords and tenants in this area.

When acting for tenants we are able to advise on the formation of nominee companies to act as purchaser, to create agreements between the respective tenants to govern the relationship between themselves and, in the case of apartments, to advise on lease extensions once the freehold interest has been acquired by participating tenants.

Landlords and tenants should note that new rules require all affected tenants to be given the opportunity of acquiring a share in the freehold interest, not just the requisite majority necessary to launch the relevant claim.

Landlords need to be aware of the rules preventing sales of residential properties without first giving existing tenants the opportunity to purchase the building in priority to third parties.  We can advise on the need to serve requisite statutory notices.

Landlords receiving notices of enfranchisement from tenants are not always obliged to sell.  We can advise on various exceptions to the tenants' rights to acquire their freeholds, and on the possiblity of satisfyign the tenants' claims by granting limited easements rather than full freehold ownership in appropriate cases.

_{Burkill Govier and Astrantia are trading names of BG Legal Services Limited, which is registered in England No. 5823947, having its registered office at 2 Maritime House, The Hart, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7HW. A list of directors is open to inspection at the registered office.  BG Legal Services Limited is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.  Tel: 01252 727478; Fax:  01252 717188.   DX 32804 Farnham.    Email to   enquiries@burkillgovier.com}