Priorities for the year ahead
 

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Freehold and leasehold legislation in England changed significantly in 2025 when the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 came into effect.

 

The new law amends existing rules on which leaseholders are eligible to take over the management of apartments in a building and also which leaseholders are eligible to purchase headleases and freeholds.

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Because the Heron shares its building with the Guildhall School of Music and Darma, which has five floors above ground and two floors below street level, the whole building has a mixed use. As such, the proportion of non-residential floor area in the building was above the threshold to allow residential leaseholders to claim management rights or to purchase freeholds.

 

The 2024 Act (Sect 29 & 49) changes the percentage of the threshold, in both cases, from 25% to 50%, thus making Heron leaseholders eligible to claim the Right to Manage their own service charges or claim to purchase their freeholds and secure a long-term future.

 

The situation is being verified, but to start either claim it is necessary to demonstrate that a convincing majority of leaseholders is in favour.

 

To do so, we need at least 50% of leaseholders to be involved and to sign-up to the Heron Residents Association so that we can act collectively and effectively. 

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Details of how to join are at:

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