Leasehold: lease length, ground rent and service charges
What to check in the lease and management before buying a flat.
Applies to: United Kingdom. Reviewed 2026-09-25.
Key takeaways
- Lease length affects value and the ability to get a mortgage.
- Service charges can rise, and major works can bring large one-off bills.
- Read what the lease says about pets, subletting and alterations.
What to check
- Remaining lease length and the option to extend.
- Ground rent and how it can change.
- Service charges, reserve fund and planned works.
- Who manages the building, and whether the flat owners have the right to take over management.
Questions to ask
- How have service charges developed in recent years, and is there a reserve fund?
- Are major works planned?
Red flags
- Ground rent that doubles at regular intervals.
Sources
- Leasehold property (GOV.UK)