(Landlord & Tenant ~ Press Release)
All landlords should note a recent change to the wording of Ground Rent demands sent to long leaseholders.

Ground Rent is usually payable by leaseholders of long leases in an annual amount which has historically been nominal. More recently leases have sought to increase the amount payable as a Ground Rent.

A schedule to the The Landlord and Tenant (Notice of Rent) (England) Regulations 2004 sets out the precise wording of the demands, including notes to go with it explaining the leaseholder's rights and the steps the Landlord can take if it's not paid. Landlords must be able to show that they have served the Ground Rent demand in the prescribed form before they can take any action to recover the Ground Rent or forfeit a lease for the non-payment.

The change is to the notes in the demand and is fairly minor. It's designed to clear up an ambiguity about the extent of protective measures in place for leaseholders who are in arrears of Ground Rent and other payments demanded under their lease.

A fuller explanation as well as a link to the document containing the new wording can be found at the following address:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1904855.pdf