Owning a leasehold flat in a heritage landmark like Marconi House, 335 Strand, WC2R, presents unique benefits and obligations. This guide from Fraser Bond explains leaseholder rights—such as lease extension, enfranchisement, and management controls—crucial for informed ownership in Central London’s premium property market.
Under UK law, leaseholders benefit from both legal protections and defined obligations, regardless of what the lease says. Key statutory rights include:
The right to see service charge and insurance cost details
The right to know your freeholder’s contact information and to challenge unfair charges through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
The right to extend your lease by 90 years or to collectively acquire the freehold under enfranchisement laws
Protection under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, including a statutory obligation for the freeholder to consult leaseholders on major works above certain thresholds
Recent legislation aims to improve leaseholder rights:
Extending lease extension rights to up to 990 years with minimal ground rent
Eliminating “marriage value” charges when lease terms drop below 80 years
Standardising service charge billing for greater transparency
While many reforms are pending implementation, they mark significant progress in empowering leaseholders.
As a leaseholder in Marconi House—a luxury, concierge-serviced building—these rights directly impact:
Long-term value when lease length drops below 90 years
Clarity and fairness in service charge allocations for premium facilities and heritage maintenance
Building control, including your say in management decisions via potential enfranchisement or Right to Manage in future
Fraser Bond advises prospective buyers to assess these factors carefully before purchase.
We offer expert guidance for Marconi House leaseholders and buyers in:
Reviewing lease terms, remaining lease length, ground rent, and subletting provisions
Assessing viability and timing for lease extension or freehold acquisition
Preparing to challenge service charges or major works via tribunal mechanisms
Translating upcoming reform provisions into actionable benefit
| Right / Topic | What It Means for You at Marconi House |
|---|---|
| Consultation on Major Works | Entitled to be informed and consulted before costly work |
| Requesting Lease Extension | Statutory right to extend lease (typically 90 years) |
| Buying the Freehold | Eligible to band together with others for enfranchisement |
| Challenging Service Charges | You can request accountability and fairness |
| Pending Reforms | New lease extension terms and charge transparency |
Let Fraser Bond help you navigate Marconi House leasehold with clarity and confidence. Visit FraserBond.com to book a free leasehold rights review.
