Complete block management

Collective Enfranchisement is the right under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002) for a majority of qualifying lessees in a development to purchase of the freehold.

Seel & Co can advise on the procedure including:-

• Checking the Eligibility of the building, the tenants etc
• Organising the company and finances for enfranchisement
• Choosing the Nominee Purchaser, be it an existing management company or set up a new freehold holding company.
• Selecting and instructing surveyors and solicitors.
• Valuing the purchase price from both the Landlord’s and Tenant’s position.
• Serving the Initial Notice on the landlord.
• Preparing for the subsequent procedures.

Should you require assistance then please call us to discuss your options.

Further information can be found from the Leasehold Advisory Service either by visiting their website or by downloading LEASE’s introductory guide.

When the sale of a property has been agreed a property transfer process is undertaken in which the vendor’s obligations and title are transferred to the new owner.

We can help and manage the transfer of properties in all the developments we manage including any outstanding charges are settled and deal with the formal receipt of Notices of Transfer and Mortgage, Deeds of Covenant, Land Registry consents and where necessary, the issue of new share or membership certificates to the purchasers.

We deal with the transfer of properties within a development, responding to all Solicitors leasehold questionnaires, providing information and documentation, ensuring that all the legal documents are in place, any outstanding charges are settled, receipting of Notices, issuing consents, registering the purchaser and, where necessary, issuing a new share or membership certificate. This is in addition to service charge management and a fee is charged to the parties concerned.

Section 20 is a regulatory three-stage consultation procedure required to be undertaken before placing contracts over a threshold value for works to client’s premises in any one year or before entering into a long-term agreement. In both instances, the process is triggered when the value of the contract exceeds a certain value. It is a transparency exercise intended to ensure that lessees are kept informed of

1. plans to carry out works or to enter into a contract;
2. details of the tenders received; and
3. contractor or service provider to be appointed.

Seel & Co advise our clients when the proposed works are likely to require a section 20. Notices are issued and feedback from lessees is given regard. Failure to follow the correct procedure will result in non-recovery of the full cost of the works, from lessees.

A fire risk assessment will cover a range of items, which may include:

• Ensuring fire alarms, if installed, are serviced and tested at appropriate intervals
• Fire doors are inspected and serviced
• Fire safety signage is installed
• Emergency lighting is maintained to the appropriate level
• Evacuation procedure is clearly understood

The risk assessment will also provide information of how to control or resolve fire safety matters.

There is considerable legislation that provides structure to managing a property. This legislation covers a wide range of subjects including:

• Accounting and taxation of service charge monies
• Accounting and taxation of service charge monies
• Administration of resident management companies
• Appointing contractors and service providers
• Asbestos
• Breaches of a duty of care
• Breaches of health and safety
• Data protection
• Electrical Safety including disposal of electrical items
• Fire Safety
• Gas safety
• Money laundering regulations
• Smoking restrictions
• Notification of major works and/or long term agreements
• Parking patrol
• Risk Management including assessments, control of hazards, planning for maintenance work
• Service charge, ground rent and administration charge notices and arrears
• Working at height
• Water testing including Legionella

Should any of the above affect the management of the site, Seel & Co will advise and recommend the best course of action specifically for your site.

Right to Manage is a provision in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 for Leaseholders to implement the transfer of the management of a building to a special company set up by the Leaseholders. Certain conditions need to be met and specific notices issued. Seel & Co can help guide you through this progress.

We have the in house expertise to guide you through the process, using Solicitors to issue Notices and Legal documents and we can provide valuations on request using our own RICS Surveyors.

Collective Enfranchisement is the right under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (as amended by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002) for a majority of qualifying lessees in a development to purchase the freehold. Seel & Co can advise on the procedure including:

• Checking the Eligibility of the building, the tenants etc)
• Organising the company and finances for enfranchisement
• Choosing the Nominee Purchaser, be it an existing management company or set up a new freehold holding company
• Selecting and instructing surveyors and solicitors
• Providing a valuation of the purchase price from both the Landlord’s and Tenant’s position
• Serving the Initial Notice on the landlord
• Preparing for the subsequent procedures

Should you require assistance the please call us to discuss your options.

The Leaseholder Support Scheme is designed to help people who are in, or facing, significant financial hardship as a direct result of possible fire safety issues affecting their medium or high-rise property. 

The scheme is free and is designed to offer leaseholders advice and solutions to their current financial concerns. Click here for more information on the Leaseholder Support Scheme.