Gateshead leaseholders ‘in limbo’ over 18-year freehold wait

Peter Heelas and his wife, Jean, have lived in their current home since 2018. Like the other leaseholders at Staiths South Bank, they currently pay £135 each year in ground rent, up from an initial £100.

Taylor Wimpey has previously told them the cost of buying their freehold would be £1,200, plus solicitor’s fees.

However, their home is classed as being in Phase 3 of the development which, along with Phase 4 properties, is in the process of having its leasehold and freehold rights sold by the housebuilder.

It says it entered into an agreement in November 2006 to transfer them to a company called Regisport, which was then incorporated into Longterm Reversions (Harrogate) Limited in 2018.

Mr Heelas, who is in his 70s, says owning the freehold would give him “absolute peace of mind”.

“The ground rent is not a huge cost, but it’s a cost I just don't want to continue to pay.

“I’d like to get this resolved as I don’t want to leave these problems to my family.”