UK Landlord Forum / Life

I am worried about the possibility of losing my property if I am unable to pay the outstanding ground rent.

Recently brought a flat and this is my first time need to pay ground rent. I have receive a letter from debt collectors PDC as apparently my ground rent overdue and unreasonable admin fee£500.

I was absolutely shocked as I have never received the freeholder Landmark collects demand to pay the ground rent.

I have checked everyone and very confident that I have not received the Email or Letter by post on demand to pay the ground rent.

Whilst I have never received a formal letter from the landmark collection  regarding the payment of the ground rent and I have been unable to locate the contact information for the freeholder l, has made it difficult for me to pay the ground rent without any bank details.

What can I do now?

Quote from: Bububunny on April 28, 2023, 09:11:57 PM
What can I do now?

You should immediately contact Landmark Collection and explain that you have never received a demand for ground rent, nor any reminder that a payment has been missed.

But is your statement really true? Or have you perhaps overlooked some information your solicitor provided when you purchased the leasehold?

How long have you been in the property?

Your topic title is "Worried about being forfeited my property as freeholders ignore my email".  But you have made no reference in your explanation about emailing them. So. I'm afraid it feels like you are not telling us about some aspect of the situation.


Looking at https://landmarkcollections.co.uk/, which I'm guessing is the correct organisation, there is a very prominent "Make a Payment" option. This takes you to https://landmarkcollections.co.uk/make-a-payment/ which gives various options on how to pay, plus there is a link on that page saying Click here for more information on "Other Ways to Pay".

Also, under FAQs, it states:

"Paying your ground rent is a condition of your lease and is an unavoidable legal requirement there are penalties for non-payment. You need to prove you have paid your ground rent to sell your lease or make property alterations.

We issue your ground rent demand notices (in accordance with the Leasehold Reform Act) up to 60 days before the due date.

If we have not received a payment from you 14 days after the due date, we send:
– A first reminder letter which will not incur a fee.
– A second reminder letter (14 days later) charged at £60.00
After the second letter, the case will be referred to a Debt Collection agency and incur further charges."

Have they never sent you a letter?