Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: STEMO on 05 February 2016, 16:58:48

Title: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: STEMO on 05 February 2016, 16:58:48
I made an enquiry about a house for sale this afternoon, it was about eight years old. I'd previously looked at a listing for another in the same street and noticed that one was leasehold. No mention of the tenure on the one I was looking at so I phoned the estate agent. A lovely young lady called Verity told me she didn't know but would find out. Sure enough, leasehold, so I did a bit of digging:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-3088134/The-great-divide-Buy-165-000-house-left-road-outright-buy-one-right-don-t.html?login#readerCommentsCommand-message-field

Slimy bastids.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 05 February 2016, 17:15:14
The vast majority of houses these days are freehold.....and rightly so.

Leasehold property is a 'left over' from the old fuedal system where the lord of the manor allowed you to build on land that he still owned.

It is possible to buy the freehold but it can be very expensive. People may take out a longer lease (up to 999 years) as a cheaper option.

Personally speaking I would avoid a leasehold property unless it was inexpensive.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: STEMO on 05 February 2016, 17:25:47
I agree entirely. The part that made me indignant was the fact that the pond life agent made no mention of it in the listing, so you view, make an offer, get a solicitor, who then finds out and tells you. Time and money down the drain, and disappointment for buyer and seller.  >:(
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: STEMO on 05 February 2016, 17:27:18
And as for your comment about 'inexpensive', it may be at first, but you have no control over the annual review.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 05 February 2016, 17:39:24
And as for your comment about 'inexpensive', it may be at first, but you have no control over the annual review.

Our first house was leasehold and the owner is usually aware of the cost of the 'ground rent' well into the future.

From memory our lease stated something along the lines of £40 PA till 2002 then £60 PA until 2025.

The house was bought in 1990.

Beware of the lease (usually 99 years) becoming shorter though. Many banks will not lend on a house with less than 60 years remaining......and the shorter the lease becomes the less the house may be worth.....until you reach deep into your pocket and buy the freehold.

Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 February 2016, 16:18:57
I made an enquiry about a house for sale this afternoon, it was about eight years old. I'd previously looked at a listing for another in the same street and noticed that one was leasehold. No mention of the tenure on the one I was looking at so I phoned the estate agent. A lovely young lady called Verity told me she didn't know but would find out. Sure enough, leasehold, so I did a bit of digging:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-3088134/The-great-divide-Buy-165-000-house-left-road-outright-buy-one-right-don-t.html?login#readerCommentsCommand-message-field

Slimy bastids.

So you didn't buy it then? :)
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Andy B on 06 February 2016, 20:30:27
.... on a house with less than 60 years remaining..........

Which is where our house is heading ........ built early 80s with a 99yr lease.  :(
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 February 2016, 20:59:43
.... on a house with less than 60 years remaining..........

Which is where our house is heading ........ built early 80s with a 99yr lease.  :(

It might be worth checking out the price of the freehold. I'm told the longer you wait the more it can cost.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: STEMO on 06 February 2016, 21:01:04
.... on a house with less than 60 years remaining..........

Which is where our house is heading ........ built early 80s with a 99yr lease.  :(

It might be worth checking out the price of the freehold.
I'd say definitely worth it, the sooner the better.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: STEMO on 06 February 2016, 21:01:43
Apparently, this situation is not as unusual as I thought.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Andy B on 06 February 2016, 21:09:05
.... on a house with less than 60 years remaining..........

Which is where our house is heading ........ built early 80s with a 99yr lease.  :(

It might be worth checking out the price of the freehold.
I'd say definitely worth it, the sooner the better.

It's something we intend doing. We were offered it years ago, but being a young family we just didn't have the money.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Andy H on 06 February 2016, 21:14:29
.... on a house with less than 60 years remaining..........

Which is where our house is heading ........ built early 80s with a 99yr lease.  :(
I think the 'right to buy' legislation that originally allowed council house tenants to buy the properties they lived in has been extended/amended/supplemented to give leaseholders more rights - in particular I think you may now have have the 'right to buy' for your leasehold :-\

https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/buying-the-freehold (https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/buying-the-freehold)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buy-freehold-right-to-manage (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buy-freehold-right-to-manage)
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Andy B on 06 February 2016, 21:26:23
..... ....
I think the 'right to buy' legislation that originally allowed council house tenants to buy the properties they lived in has been extended/amended/supplemented to give leaseholders more rights - in particular I think you may now have have the 'right to buy' for your leasehold :-\

https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/buying-the-freehold (https://www.gov.uk/leasehold-property/buying-the-freehold)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buy-freehold-right-to-manage (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mortgages/buy-freehold-right-to-manage)

Thanks for that Andy  :y
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Rods2 on 07 February 2016, 06:12:34
Leaseholds can also be extended and if iirc normal once a property lease fall below 50 years, as I'm sure M'Lud being very coy is well aware of as he owns most of the leaseholds in Lincolnshire. :P :P :P
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 07 February 2016, 11:37:41
Leaseholds can also be extended and if iirc normal once a property lease fall below 50 years, as I'm sure M'Lud being very coy is well aware of as he owns most of the leaseholds in Lincolnshire. :P :P :P

You flatter me, Mr Rods.

I own less than 40%. :)
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 07 February 2016, 11:40:36
.........personally I would  prefer to purchase the freehold as opposed to an extended lease.

It's the 'permissions' element of a lease that I don't like.
Title: Re: Latest rip off from house builders
Post by: STEMO on 07 February 2016, 12:03:00
.........personally I would  prefer to purchase the freehold as opposed to an extended lease.

It's the 'permissions' element of a lease that I don't like.
Yes, it wouldn't feel like your own house.