Leasehold & Freehold Disputes
Service charges, lease terms, extensions and boundaries — sorted.
Reviewed by Sannah Khatoon — Litigation & Housing Disrepair Solicitor, SRA #654258 (Admitted 2018). Last reviewed 15 September 2026.
Leasehold problems are technical and stressful. We advise leaseholders and freeholders on service charge disputes, breaches, lease extensions and boundary rows, and represent you at tribunal and court.
Your rights and the law
Leasehold rights and obligations are set by the lease and by statute together. Service charges must be reasonably incurred and reasonable in amount, and the leaseholder can challenge them at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). A landlord generally cannot forfeit a lease for unpaid service charges or a breach unless the amount or breach has first been admitted or determined by a court or tribunal. Qualifying leaseholders have statutory rights to extend a lease or, collectively, to buy the freehold (enfranchisement). This is a technical, deadline-driven area and the law is being reformed, so we advise you on the current position before you commit. Freehold disputes over boundaries, rights of way and easements turn on the title documents, the Land Registry plan and the history of use.
How we can help
- Service charge and ground rent disputes
- Lease breaches and forfeiture
- Lease extension and enfranchisement advice
- Boundary and right-of-way disputes
How the process works
- Read the lease and title. We examine the lease, the service-charge accounts and the registered title so advice is grounded in your actual documents, not assumptions.
- Raise it correctly. We challenge unreasonable charges or a disputed breach through the right channel — a formal request for a summary, a surveyor's view, or an application to the tribunal.
- Negotiate or apply. For lease extensions and enfranchisement we handle valuation, notices and negotiation; for boundary disputes we press for a practical, evidenced resolution.
- Represent you at tribunal or court. If it can't be agreed, we present your case at the First-tier Tribunal or county court and, where a lease is at risk, defend against forfeiture.
We work on a transparent fixed-fee basis for most housing matters, so you'll know the cost up front — and where a case can be run on a no win, no fee agreement (a CFA, usually with After the Event insurance), we'll explain whether that fits your situation. For urgent help, call 0203 051 7823.
Frequently asked questions
My service charge has shot up — can I challenge it?
Yes. Service charges must be reasonably incurred and reasonable in amount, and you're entitled to a summary of how they're calculated. If they look excessive or the work is poor, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to decide what's payable, and we prepare that case for you.
Can my freeholder take my flat for unpaid charges?
Forfeiture is a real risk but a heavily restricted one. A landlord generally cannot forfeit the lease for arrears of service charge or a breach unless the debt or breach has first been admitted or determined by a court or tribunal, and small or recent arrears are protected. If you've had a forfeiture threat, get advice straight away.
Do I have the right to extend my lease?
Qualifying leaseholders have statutory rights to a lease extension, and this area of law is being reformed. Because the value and the process depend on the current rules and the maths of your particular lease, we check where you stand before serving any notice.
What is enfranchisement?
It's the right of leaseholders, individually or collectively, to buy the freehold of their building or acquire greater control of its management. It's technical and deadline-sensitive, so it needs proper valuation and correctly served notices — which we handle.
How are boundary and right-of-way disputes decided?
They turn on the evidence: the wording of the deeds, the registered title plan, and how the land has actually been used over time. The Land Registry plan is not always decisive, so we gather the documents and, where needed, a surveyor's opinion to resolve it — by agreement if possible.
Should I go to tribunal or the county court?
It depends on the issue. Service-charge reasonableness and many leasehold questions go to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber); money claims, forfeiture and most boundary disputes go to the county court. We advise on the right forum so you don't waste time and costs in the wrong one.
Sources & further reading
This page is general information about the law in England & Wales, not legal advice. Legislation and figures can change — for advice on your circumstances, contact us. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.