We moved here two-and-a-half years ago. The house has a 999-year lease and our solicitors informed us that the ground rent is £40 a year, but we have had no requests for payment. Is there a limit on the number of years the freehold owners can claim back payment? How much would it cost to buy the freehold?
The freehold owners can only claim up to six years’ arrears. Ask your solicitor whether payments were up to date when you bought the property, since an allowance should have been made for this if they weren’t! Buying your freehold can be a complicated business but your solicitor can advise you on how to approach the freehold owners. However you should familiarise yourselves with the terms of the lease and comply with them.