We bought a leasehold house 12 years ago, but we have never had a demand for ground rent or any notification about payment. What is our situation? We don’t want a hefty bill landing on the doormat.
It won’t. The most you can be asked for is payment for the last six years. These days you don’t owe ground rent unless you have received a demand for it in a prescribed form. So if you come to sell the property you may have to make an allowance to the purchaser for six years’ ground rent or take out indemnity insurance. Get hold of a copy of your lease (from the Land Registry or via your solicitor) however and make sure you observe its terms. Your landlord could turn up and demand compensation for any breach such as an extension or even a satellite dish.