I am a leaseholder of a flat in London, caught in a predicament that prevents me from selling my property. I share the freehold with my downstairs neighbour. Despite us forming a limited company together, they refuse to sign the LPE1 form. This is not an uncommon issue. Many of us find ourselves frozen, unable to move forward due to the current law.

The LPE1 form plays a crucial role in the UK's selling process, but its significance is undermined by the fact that there is no legal obligation for the freeholder to provide it. This lack of enforcement can prevent sales from completion as conveyancers require this form for their procedures. It's a legal loophole that can trap sellers in their homes, creating unnecessary stress and stagnation within our housing market.

According to a report by the National Association of Estate Agents, an estimated 1.53 million leaseholders in England and Wales potentially face sale delays due to this issue. This situation urgently requires attention.

We are calling on lawmakers to make signing the LPE1 form a legally binding requirement for freeholders. A change in the law would not just help myself, but countless others who feel trapped in their own homes.

Personally, the idea of purchasing a freehold had its benefits, but I was unaware that it would cause so many issues at the final stages of selling. We are now in a position stuck and not knowing what to do. The only outcome is taking our co-freeholder to court, which should be the last resort. We have already spent significant amount of money in legal fees, and so have our buyers. Escalating to court will only increase not only the stress of gaining outcome, but further financial burdens on my family. If the form is crucial for the sale but not legally required, this to me doesn’t make sense. As there needs to be law in place to either remove the importance of this form for the sale, or to enforce lawful measures so freeholders need to sign. 

Please support us in this endeavour to make home-selling a smoother process for everyone involved. Sign this petition, and let's push for a change in the legislation together.