Buying the freehold of a leasehold house
Completing the sale
Once the price and terms have been fixed, both parties will need to take certain steps to complete the conveyance of the freehold. These are set out by the Leasehold Reform (Enfranchisement and Extension) Regulations 1974. There are consequences if either party does not meet their responsibilities.
Your responsibilities
As the leaseholder, you are responsible for:
- paying the purchase price (and any outstanding ground rent post-completion)
- completing conveyance once price and terms are settled
- signing and returning the conveyance deed within the prescribed time
- paying the landlord’s reasonable legal and valuation costs
If you do not meet any of these responsibilities, the landlord can serve you with a default notice. This will explain which responsibility has not been met and ask you to fulfil it.
If you do not fulfil your responsibilities within 2 months of receiving a default notice, the contract will end. The landlord will keep your deposit and you will have to start the process all over again which will incur new costs.
Landlord (freeholder) responsibilities
The landlord is responsible for:
- providing and executing conveyance once the price and terms are settled
- transferring the freehold title
- meeting all deadlines set out in the Act and regulations
- completing the transaction when you are ready to pay
If the landlord does not meet any of their responsibilities, you could consider applying for a court order to force them to complete the sale.
You could also issue them with a default notice, although if you want the contract to complete this is not recommended. If they miss the 2-month deadline to fulfil their responsibilities they will return your deposit, but also the contract will end.
- Last updated:
- 17 December 2025
- Next review:
- 17 December 2027