Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) - Advice on completing the leasehold section

Part 2 of the Property Information Questionnaire relates specifically to enquiries to leasehold properties and is much more complex.

The following contains advice on how to answer these questions:

• Tell us who the person or organisation you pay ground rent or service charge to.
• How many years are remaining under the Lease?
• The current annual ground rent and service charge.
• What is the current annual insurance?
• Are there any major works planned for the building?
• Does the Lease prevent you from subletting or keeping pets at the property?
• Does the Lease allow you to use a parking space or do you have access to a communal garden?
• What provisions are there in the Lease that dictate the use of the property?

The Government footnotes on the Property Information Questionnaire indicate that they expect the owner to be able to answer these questions by owning a copy of the Lease themselves and determining the answers.  The reality is that these questions are very complex and it is difficult to answer accurately.

We anticipate that most members of the public will require legal advice in completing this part of the Property Information Questionnaire.

Most members of the public would not know where to look to definitively determine how many years remain under the Lease or where to look within the provisions of the Lease to determine whether or not there is anywhere to set out within the Property Information form details as to restrictions, regulations relating to use of the property.

For more specific information or guidance as to how to deal with some of the more specific leasehold questions within the PIQ, please go to “How to answer leasehold questions” in the Property Information Questionnaire.