A leasehold property is one held under a long lease from a freeholder, with the leaseholder owning the right to occupy for a defined term, typically 99 to 999 years. The vast majority of London flats are leasehold, particularly in Camden, Westminster, Hackney and Islington. Drainage characteristics depend on the building, but the lease typically allocates responsibility for shared stacks, underground drains and roof drainage to the freeholder or management company, with internal branches the leaseholder's responsibility. Common issues include disputes over leaks affecting flats below, difficulty obtaining permission to alter pipework and service charge demands for major drainage works. Leaseholders should review the lease carefully before commissioning works and notify the managing agent if shared sections are affected. Drainage insurance is usually arranged by the freeholder for the building.
Leasehold property
Property held under a long lease, with shared drainage usually managed by the freeholder.
