Flat owners unite: Rise in Londoners teaming up to ‘take back’ their buildings

Key Facts 

• Over 7,400 leaseholders contacted the Leasehold Advisory Service about Right to Manage and collective enfranchisement in the past two years, representing an 18% rise. 
• Since 2019, approximately 41% of all LEASE helpline enquiries have come from London, where leasehold properties make up around 36% of the housing stock. 

• London law firm Starck Uberoi says more flat owners are using the law to escape unfair service charges and poor management. 

The team at Starck Uberoi is reporting a jump in leaseholders seeking to club together and take back control of their buildings, as national data shows a sharp rise in enquiries about leasehold enfranchisement and Right to Manage. With more than a third of London homes still under leasehold ownership, demand for legal support is soaring. 

According to official figures, over 7,400 leaseholders contacted the Government’s Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) across eight quarters from late 2022 to the end of 2024 to ask about freehold purchases and Right to Manage – a rise of more than 18% during that period.  

41% of all LEASE helpline enquiries since 2019 came from London leaseholders, despite the capital making up only around 15% of England’s population. However, with 36% of homes in London owned leasehold, it’s little surprise that Londoners make up the bulk of enquiries. Among flat owners, the figure is even higher: 62% of all flats in London are leasehold.  

“London flat owners are fed up with being overcharged, ignored or left in the dark by managing agents they didn’t choose,” says Raminder Uberoi Partner and Head of Property Law at Starck Uberoi Solicitors “We’re seeing more and more leaseholders in London take legal steps to reclaim control over their buildings” 

What are the options for leaseholders? 

One legal route for leaseholders is collective enfranchisement, which is the legal process by which leaseholders in a building join forces to buy the freehold from their landlord. Once they do this, they become the new freeholders and can make decisions about building maintenance, service charges and lease extensions. 

“Once the freehold is in the hands of the leaseholders, they can set fairer budgets, choose their own contractors and renew leases without fear or confusion,” explains Raminder. 

For those who don’t wish to buy the freehold, the alternative is Right to Manage. This is another legal option that gives leaseholders full control of day-to-day management without actually buying the building. 

Why now? 

According to Starck Uberoi, the spike in demand is being driven by a perfect storm of issues, with many Londoners no longer willing to put up with the limitations of leasehold living. 

“We’re seeing a huge rise in leaseholders reaching out because the current system just isn’t working for them anymore,” says Raminder. “The Leasehold Reform Act has finally shone a light on just how unfair the status quo is, and people are starting to realise they have legal options.” 

“One of the biggest drivers is the sheer cost,” they continue. “We’ve had clients show us service charge increases of over a thousand pounds a year, with no clear breakdown or explanation. That kind of expense simply isn’t sustainable.” 

“And then there’s the management side,” they add. “People are dealing with agents who don’t return calls, ignore repair requests, or suddenly hike insurance premiums. It’s frustrating, and for many, it’s the last straw.” 

“In the past, leaseholders felt powerless,” says Raminder. “Now, they’re realising that the law is on their side and that they don’t have to just put up with it.” 

Although leasehold reform is progressing, Starck Uberoi warns that many of the changes will take time to implement.  

“There’s a lot of optimism about the reforms, and rightly so,” says Raminder. “But leaseholders still need to work within the current system for now. If you’re being overcharged or poorly managed, you don’t have to wait for the law to change. You can do something about it now.” 

How to take back control 

As Starck Uberoi explains, taking back control usually starts with getting the right legal support.  

“Leaseholders are often intimidated by the legal process,” says Raminder. “But they don’t need to be. A solicitor can assess your building’s eligibility, help you serve the right legal notices, and guide you through the entire process from start to finish.” 

“To get the ball rolling, all you need is at least 50% of the flats in the building to take part. Once successful, you can collectively become the new freeholders or take over building management through a company you all control.” 

“The common goal is always the same: more control, more transparency, and a fairer deal,” explains Raminder.  

“When leaseholders finally take over their building, the sense of relief is huge,” they add. “They know their money is being spent properly. They know who to speak to and they feel like real homeowners.” 

Starck Uberoi has now become a proud member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP), the UK’s leading professional body for solicitors and surveyors specialising in leasehold reform. 

“ALEP membership means clients can trust they’re getting advice from a recognised specialist,” says Raminder. “This is a complex area of law, and people deserve expert support, especially when their home and financial security are at stake.” 

Our Offices 

Although we offer a completely online conveyancing service to people across the UK, local people are always welcome to visit one of our offices located across London and Kent.  

Our Brentford Solicitors, are located on the High Street in a grand three-story building, just a short distance from Brentford County Court. Our Belgravia solicitors are located Just a 5-minute walk from Victoria tube station in Grosvenor Gardens. Our Ealing solicitors are only a short walk from both Ealing Broadway and South Ealing and our Richmond Solicitors have the pleasure of overlooking the picturesque Richmond Green. Finally, our Solicitors in Canterbury are located in the within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canterbury Cathedral. Our partner, Raminder Uberoi, can also offer a Notary Public Service at any of our London offices.