How to redeem your ground rent

If you wish to make an application to redeem your ground rent, you will need to:

• obtain a certified copy of the lease or fee farm grant under which you own your dwelling house. If you do not have a mortgage, the document will most likely be with your other title deeds in a place of safe keeping such as a bank or with your family solicitors. If your dwelling house is mortgaged, the document will be with your mortgage company and you should be able to obtain a copy of it on request. Please note that many of the deed holders may charge a fee for sending you title documents
• obtain a ground rent receipt for your most recent payment
• complete application Form GR1 (or GR1 (N)) were the annual ground rent is less than £1 or if it is stated to be a peppercorn rent). This form is a statutory declaration (sworn statement) which must be signed by you in the presence of a solicitor, who may charge a small fee for this service

Immediately after lodging your application with the Land Registry you must give notice of your application to the rent owner by completing Form GR2 (or GR2 (N)) were the annual ground rent is less than £1 or if it is stated to be a peppercorn rent). The completed form and a copy of your lease or fee farm grant should then be sent to the rent owner.

This is useful information in the wake of theGround rent scandal which has affected hundreds of people nationwide. If you think you have been affected by the Ground rent scandal it may be worthwhile to get in touch with a property lawyer to see what can be done.