The Council is the freehold owner of a block
of flats at Thornton Close. Flat 26a was originally sold 9 May 1988
under the provisions of the Right to Buy for a term of 125 years at
a ground rent of £10. The current lessee wishes to extend the
term of the lease to make it more saleable on the open market. The
lessee has exercised their statutory rights under Leasehold Reform
Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 to require the grant of
longer lease. Under the legislation, the Council as the competent
landlord, is required to grant a new lease to the owner of the flat
for an additional term of 90 years on top of the unexpired term of
the lease, and on the same terms as the existing lease, save that
the annual ground rent will be a peppercorn if demanded. The
consideration for a new lease is governed by the legislation and
determined by valuers. The lessee will be required to pay all of
the Council’s legal and surveyors costs