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Leasehold properties

If a property is leasehold it means that the property is for sale but the land the property is built on is not. A buyer may have to pay ground rent to the freeholder and other service charges.

Compulsory documents

For leasehold properties you must provide all the standard compulsory documents for the HIP, and a copy of the lease.  If there’s a delay getting a copy of the lease, it can be added to the HIP after the property goes on the market, However, it has to be added within 28 days of the property going on the market.

• HIPs: compulsory items

Optional documents

Although it isn't compulsory, you can also include other leasehold documents such as:

• any regulations or rules that apply to the property that aren't mentioned in the lease and any proposed amendments
• statements or summaries of service charges covering the previous 36 months
• the most recent requests for payment of service charges, ground rent, insurance against damage for the building in which the property is situated
• details of personal injury insurance claimed because of the building or an event that took place in the building, during the 12-month period before marketing began
• the name and address of the current or proposed lessor, and details of any managing agent
• a summary of any works being undertaken or proposed that will affect the property

Leasehold documents should have been provided to you by the landlord or manager of your building. If you have lost or mislaid any of them, you should be able to get copies from the landlord or manager. However, you may have to pay a fee.

If the property is registered, you can ask the Land Registry about how to get an official, court-admissible copy of the lease (along with the associated fee).

For other optional documents, follow the link below.

• HIPs: optional items
• Land Registry Opens new window

Commonhold properties

If a property is commonhold then you effectively own a share of the freehold of the land on which the building stands. You own this share together with other owners of flats in the building. You also share the responsibility with them for things like repairs and upkeep.

Compulsory documents

You must have the standard compulsory documents for the HIP. You also need to include an official copy of the individual register and title plan for the common parts and the commonhold community statement referred to in the register.

• Guidance on drafting a commonhold community statement (PDF, 444K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

You can get these documents and information about the fees you'll have to pay from the appropriate Land Registry office. Copies from the Land Registry are acceptable as evidence in the courts, if needed.

• Land Registry Opens new window

Sellers of commonhold properties must also provide:

• copies of any regulations or rules not described in the commonhold community statement and any proposed changes to those regulations or to the commonhold community statement
• copies of any requests for payments made in the previous 12 months to do with the commonhold assessment, reserve fund levy and insurance (if not covered by a request for commonhold assessment)
• the name and address of any managing agent or other person appointed or about to be appointed by the commonhold association to manage the commonhold
• a summary of current or proposed works affecting the commonhold