Skip to Content

Flying Freehold

When it comes to property law, terms like “freehold” and “leasehold” are commonly understood. However, there’s another intriguing concept that occasionally surfaces: the flying freehold. Let’s unravel this architectural quirk and explore its implications.

What Is a Flying Freehold?

Imagine a property that extends over or under a neighboring property. That’s precisely what a flying freehold is.
Contrary to its name, the property doesn’t need to be suspended mid-air. Instead, part of it either overhangs or lies beneath another person’s property.

Flying freeholds can arise in various scenarios:

- Semi-detached or terraced houses: When the dividing line between adjacent properties isn’t straight down the middle.
- Balconies that extend over a neighbor’s property.
- Basements or cellars that go underneath neighboring properties.
- Rooms above shared passageways directly beneath.
- Maisonettes or houses where part of the property is situated under or over another freehold property.

Why Does It Matter?

- Many homeowners live with flying freeholds in blissful ignorance until they decide to sell or remortgage their property.
- Conveyancing solicitors approach flying freeholds with caution due to potential legal complexities.
- The primary concern is the lack of positive covenant enforcement between freeholders. Renovation works can become contentious if both parties don’t agree on necessary repairs.
- While the Law Commission has expressed a desire to simplify covenant legislation, no significant changes have occurred yet.

Navigating the Skies of Property Law:

If you encounter a flying freehold during a property transaction, don’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean the deal will crash and burn.
Seek legal advice to ensure a smooth process.
Remember that flying freeholds are often found in older, densely built areas where buildings intertwine.

In summary, while flying freeholds may seem like an architectural oddity, they can have real-world implications. Understanding them ensures a smoother journey through the intricate landscape of property ownership.

Flying Freehold
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Flying Freehold

What is a Flying Freehold and should it matter?..

link

Neighbour Disputes | Nuisance Neighbours

Unfortunately, not everyone is respectful in life, most of the time we just move on and keep our opinion to ourselves, but when that comes to where we live you..

Landlord Solicitors - solicitors.com

Landlord Solicitors. Landlord solicitors will be able to advise Landlords and Letting Agents of residential property on all issues arising out of residential te..

What can and can`t Bailiffs do

What can and can't Bailiffs do? Guide to stricter rules..

Government to introduce New Homes Ombudsman

The government announces a New Homes Ombudsman to protect consume..

link

Planning Law Solicitors

Planning Law Solicitors. Planning Law solicitors will undertake all aspects of Planning law...

Possession orders | Tenant Eviction

Process for obtaining an eviction.
Eviction of tenants from rental properties is at an all time high with almost 40,000 Evictions in the last year; rising rent..

Restrictive Covenants

Restrictive covenants - If you happen across a restrictive covenant in a contract, what is it and why is it in place?..

Tenancy terms reviewed.

Minimum rental terms of three years could be introduced under new..

link

Understand Conveyancing Quotes

When you look for a conveyancing solicitor to act for you we recommend that you contact a few to compare price, obviously price is not the only factor you look..

Conveyancing | The Contracts.

Whilst most people hate the paperwork side of things it is important to go through the contract with your conveyancing solicitor...

Will property conveyancing change.

The Government push to improve conveyancing...

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top