UK Landlord Forum / Life

I am just about to complete on a buy to let remortgage. Solicitor is asking for upto date ground rent receipt. I use to pay this to the next door neighbour twice a year, it was about £1.30 and she sent it off. She died 6 years ago and since then no-one has collected it nor have I received any letters or anything regarding it. I was not ask anything about this when I first took out the mortgage 4 years ago. Now I am having kittens thinking should I have got the freeholders permission to rent the property out??

The lease is 999 years and to be honest I have never seen the lease. I have a copy of the register of title which gives the date of the lease as december 1916, 999 yrs, rent:ass therein mentioned, Parties Mr X and Mr X!

Any advice would be greatful!

Hello j4697

Ground Rent is a highly legislated area.  For a ground rent to become due the landlord has to serve you a "Section 166 notice".  If it's not been served then the debt is not due, no matter what the lease says.  So you really can honestly say you are up to date with payments.

However I would suggest you get yourself a copy of your lease pdq.  It is bound to contain some restrictions and obligations around you "sub-demising" your property which you should be aware of and comply with.