For buyers

The most expensive document you may never read.

The lease shapes what you can do, what you may have to pay and how the building is run. Read the actual wording before a standard report turns it into a tick box.

Check one lease free See the common questions

A residential building viewed as part of a leasehold purchase

Before exchange

Six questions that can change the purchase.

The lease, LPE1 pack and building-safety record answer different questions. Keep them separate and give each gap to the right professional.

01What ground rent will I inherit?

Check the amount, review formula and dates in the signed lease. Ask the conveyancer and lender whether the pattern affects the mortgage or future sale.

Check the ground-rent terms 02How many years are left?

Under the current statutory model, 80 years or fewer can bring marriage value into the premium. Reform announced for the future is not yet the route in force.

Understand the 80-year point 03What does the LPE1 pack show?

The LPE1 and supporting records can show current charges, arrears, insurance, planned works and management information that the lease cannot answer.

See what to request 04Is there cladding or an EWS1 issue?

Separate life safety, lender valuation, remediation evidence and any Building Safety Act cost protection before exchange.

Open the building-safety route 05Why are service charges rising?

See the trend and ask for the accounts, budget, reserve plan and major-works information behind it.

Open the cost trend 06Can I use the flat as planned?

Find the subletting, alteration, pet, occupation and consent wording before treating an estate-agent answer as the lease position.

Check the use restrictions

Take the next step in LEASE-iQ®

Which lease terms could affect this purchase?

Use this to turn a concern into focused questions for your conveyancer.

Copy questions for this issue

Questions to paste into LEASE-iQ

I am considering buying the flat covered by this uploaded lease. My main concern is: [ground rent, remaining term, LPE1 information, cladding or EWS1, service charges, planned works, subletting, alterations, repairs, sale, mortgage or another issue]. Please organise the lease questions I should take to my conveyancer.

Please:
1. Identify the parties, property, term, ground rent and the documents or plans referred to by the lease.
2. Find the clauses most relevant to my concern. Quote the short wording and give the clause and page.
3. Explain the landlord's, tenant's and management company's continuing obligations separately.
4. Identify payment, consent, use, repair, insurance and assignment provisions that could materially affect the concern.
5. List every deed, headlease, title, regulation, consent or building record referred to but not supplied.
6. Separate what the lease establishes from the LPE1 and supporting records, lender requirements, EWS1 or other building-safety evidence, searches, building condition and legal advice.
7. Finish with no more than ten precise questions for my conveyancer. Do not tell me to proceed or withdraw.

Keep checking: LEASE-iQ can expose the lease wording. The conveyancer remains responsible for title, lender, contract and transaction advice.

The lease is not the whole purchase file

Use the LPE1 pack to test what is happening now.

The lease defines continuing rights and obligations. The LPE1 and its supporting records should help your conveyancer check the building's current management, money, insurance and planned work.

Service charge and arrears

Ask for the current budget, recent accounts, the seller's account position and details of any balancing charge or credit.

Reserve fund and major works

Ask what is held, what work is planned, whether consultation has started and what contribution may follow after completion.

Insurance and claims

Check the current policy, insured risks, excesses and any live claim that could affect the flat or building.

Management and disputes

Identify the landlord, manager, management company, fees, consents, known disputes and records that remain missing.

A clearer first pass

Check the obligations behind the sales particulars.

The lease is only one part of the purchase, but it is the part that defines the continuing relationship with the landlord, manager and other flats.

01
Use the signed document
Start with the lease and the real question, not a generic policy answer.
02
Separate the layers
Keep the lease, current law and missing evidence distinct.
03
Keep the source open
Give the next person the clause, page and point that still needs judgment.

The result

Questions that arrive before exchange, not after completion.

The buyer, conveyancer and lender can see the clause or missing record behind the concern instead of trading general reassurance.

Illustrative buyer question

Can I let the flat after I buy it?

A useful first pass separates what the signed lease says from the information and advice still needed for the purchase.

01
LeaseFind the subletting In plain EnglishA binding promise in the lease to do something, pay something or not do something.Open the plain-English glossary
Identify whether subletting is prohibited, permitted or subject to consent, notice, conditions or a fee.
02
Missing recordAsk for the current route
Check who receives the request, what evidence is required, what fee is charged and whether any previous consent affects the flat.
03
Purchase advicePut the point into the transaction
Your conveyancer checks the title, replies to enquiries, contract, lender requirements and the legal effect for your purchase.

Try one real question

Take one concern back to the signed lease.

Use the question most likely to affect the purchase. Check whether LEASE-iQ finds the right covenant and gives your conveyancer a precise point to review.

See how LEASE-iQ works

Independent help

LEASE offers free, independent leasehold guidance.

building trust is not the only route. The Leasehold Advisory Service publishes guidance and offers appointments for leaseholders and park-home owners.

Visit LEASE

Start small

Request one lease free.

Use the purchase question already causing concern. Check the source before deciding what to ask your conveyancer next.

Check one lease freeLeaseholder access is confirmed by request before any upload.

01Check one lease free

Start with the issue causing work now.

02Use the confirmed secure route

Use the signed lease and use the secure upload route we confirm.

03Open the source

Check the clause and what remains uncertain.

Download and pass it on

A short note to discuss with your conveyancer

Use it to prepare focused questions. LEASE-iQ does not replace or overrule your conveyancer's professional judgement.

Download the PDF