Real questions from real directors and leaseholders. Answered with clause references from actual leases. These are the questions that cost £350 each at a solicitor. LEASE-iQ answers in seconds, not days.
Every question below would cost £350+VAT as a solicitor letter. LEASE-iQ answers in seconds, not days. First question free.
The roof is almost always part of the "Retained Parts". That means the freeholder maintains it. Cost is recovered through the service charge. LEASE-iQ tells you exactly which clause defines "Retained Parts" in your specific lease.
Check your lease now. Free for your first question →
If the source is external, the freeholder is responsible. But most leases require leaseholders to report defects promptly. Delay-caused internal damage may fall on the leaseholder.
Read our full water leak liability guide →
If cost exceeds £250 per leaseholder, you must follow S.20 consultationThe S.20 consultation process requires landlords to serve prescribed notice on leaseholders, provide information about proposed works, give 30 days for comments, and provide a summary before proceeding. Failure to follow the process limits recovery to £250 per unit. Full guidance. Skip it and you can only recover £250 per leaseholder.
See the full Section 20 process in our directors guide →
Almost always yes for anything beyond cosmetic decoration. Kitchen refit is typically non-structural. Consent required but "cannot be unreasonably withheld."
Check your lease's alteration clause →
The short answer: it already has, in part. Two regimes overlap right now and you need to track both.
One. The RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code, 4th edition, is in force from 7 April 2026. It was approved by the Secretary of State via Statutory Instrument 2026/298. The Code runs to around 100 pages, is extensively rewritten from the 3rd edition, and section 14.8 specifically governs the format and content of service charge, ground rent, and administration charge demands. It incorporates changes driven by both the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. Compliance is mandatory for RICS-regulated managing agents. If you use one, your demands are already on the new regime.
Two. The LFRA 2024 statutory prescribed demand format is still pending. MHCLG consulted in 2025 (closed 26 September 2025) and regulations are expected with transitional arrangements. The new statutory form will require a minimum set of information including the name and address of leaseholder and landlord, the total amount payable on a standardised budget, payment details, deadline, and consequences of non-payment, plus an annual report and standardised service-charge accounts. Until it commences, Sections 21B, 47/48, and 42 LTA 1985/1987 remain in force in primary law.
If you are a self-managing director or informal freeholder: you are not strictly bound by the RICS Code, but a non-compliant demand template now invites a Tribunal challenge from any informed leaseholder. Align your template with the RICS Code 4th edition now. Watch for the LFRA SI when it commences.
If you are a leaseholder: you can already demand a summary of costs under Sections 21-22 LTA 1985 (a criminal offence not to provide). When the LFRA SI commences you will get more information by right.
Check your current demand against primary law → · Full LFRA + RICS Code reference →
Interest charges after 14 days, right to apply for forfeiture. But requires court determination and s.146 notice.
Upload your lease to check forfeiture and arrears clauses →
Only if your lease allows it. Many leases include sinking/reserve fund provisions. If yours doesn't, you can't demand contributions.
Benchmark your service charge against national averages →
Escalating ground rent is common in older leases. LEASE-iQ reads your ground rent schedule and tells you exactly when the next review is.
Check if a lease extension could freeze your ground rent →
Depends on your lease. Some prohibit subletting, some prohibit short-term letting, some say nothing. LEASE-iQ flags exactly which clause applies.
Many leases include "no pets" clause or require consent. Check your specific lease wording.
Upload your lease to find your pet clause →
Companies Act, health and safety, fire safety, Building Safety Act. Directors carry personal liability for all of these. BLOCK-iQ tracks all 21 statutory obligations so nothing falls through the cracks.
Check your building's compliance risk →
First-tier Tribunal (FTT) handles service charges, lease variations, etc. Less formal than court but binding. Costs rarely awarded.
Read our full First-tier Tribunal guide →
Depends on your lease subletting/assignment clause. Most allow with consent. A solicitor letter to check this would cost £350. LEASE-iQ finds the exact clause in seconds, not days.
Check your lease now. First question free →
Almost always yes beyond cosmetic work. Freeholders require consent to ensure major works don't damage communal areas or structural integrity.
Check your alteration clause →
Depends on leak origin. If it's from the neighbour's pipes or negligence, they're responsible. If it's from communal plumbing or the structure above, the freeholder is responsible.
Read our full water leak liability guide →
Check your lease for pet restriction or nuisance clause. Many leases prohibit pets entirely or require consent.
Upload your lease to find your pet clause →
Service charges must be "reasonable" under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985. You have the right to request a summary, inspect receipts, and apply to the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) if you believe it's unreasonable. LEASE-iQ reads your lease and tells you exactly what your service charge should cover.
Check what your service charge should cover →
Probably, if your lease was granted before 30 June 2022. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 only applies to new leases from that date onwards. Check your lease schedule to confirm the ground rent review terms.
Estimate your lease extension cost and freeze ground rent →
Interest charges after 14 days, ultimately forfeiture (loss of flat). The freeholder must follow strict legal procedures including s.146 notice.
Check your lease's forfeiture and arrears provisions →
Yes. Under current law, below 80 years, extension costs more due to "marriage value." Below 70 years, most lenders won't lend. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 abolishes marriage value, but this provision is not yet in force. Implementation is expected late 2026 at the earliest. Take professional advice on whether to extend now or wait.
Check your lease term and extension options →
Most require notice to freeholder (assignment), notice fee, and deed of covenant from buyer. Some include "rights of first refusal" for the freeholder or neighboring leaseholders.
Upload your lease to check assignment requirements →
Share of Freehold (SoF): You own the freehold directly through collective enfranchisement, have full control, can set charges and make all decisions. Requires at least 50% of qualifying tenants to participate. Higher legal costs than RTM. Right to Manage (RTM): You manage the building only, freeholder retains ownership and certain rights. Also requires 50% participation but lower costs. RTM is quicker to establish.
Read our full Right to Manage guide →
Three paths from here, depending on what you need.