A neighbour collects our ground rent, but for the past three years he has failed to do so. He says he has had no notification from the landowner to make the collection, and can’t do anything until asked to do so. I have heard that unless a leaseholder has receipts for ground rent paid he cannot sell his house. Is this correct?
No, although it may cause some delay. Generally speaking it should be possible to simply knock off the amount of ground rent owing (up to a maximum of six years’ worth) from the price you agree to sell your house for. These days your neighbour can refuse to make such collections by sending notification to the landlord.