As a rule, the leasehold reform legislation does not allow the service of notices (including freeholder counternotices) to be done electronically.
For freeholders, in particular, this can have adverse consequences in that if the counternotice is not served by a set deadline, then the flat owners will be able to acquire a new lease or the freehold of a building on their terms. Such terms would usually be inferior to the freeholder’s entitlement, especially with regard to the price payable for the new lease or the freehold.
With an uncertain and evolving working environment because of coronavirus, when working for freeholder clients, we have reached agreement with other firms in the event of a lockdown, they will accept counternotices by email on the understanding that a hard copy will be sent as soon as practicable.
The Seddons Enfranchisement team acts for both flat owners and freehold owners of buildings in connection with lease extensions or freehold purchases.
Seddons Head of Enfranchisement, John Midgley says: “We are planning ahead to protect our clients’ position. If we are told that the office has to close, we have the ability to work off site to get the job done.”
If anyone has any enfranchisement enquiries, please contact John on 020 7725 8068, or by email [email protected].