Buying the Freehold of Your Taylor Wimpey Leasehold House

If you own a Taylor Wimpey leasehold house, you may already know that leasehold houses have been the subject of years of controversy. Many owners felt trapped by unfair terms, especially ground rents that doubled every 10 years. Even though Taylor Wimpey has since admitted mistakes and set up a scheme to help, thousands of people are still left unsure whether they should buy their freehold—and if so, how to go about it. This page explains the background, the options you may have, and how our specialist solicitors can help you in buying the Freehold of your Taylor Wimpey leasehold house.

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Why Taylor Wimpey Leasehold Houses Hit the Headlines

Taylor Wimpey is one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders. From around the mid-2000s until the practice was phased out in the late 2010s, the company sold a significant number of houses on a leasehold basis.

The problem was not so much the leasehold status itself, but the terms. A large number of leases included ground rent clauses that doubled every ten years. On paper that might not have looked too bad. In reality, it quickly made the ground rent unaffordable. Lenders started to refuse mortgages on those homes, leaving owners trapped in properties they could not easily sell.

What Taylor Wimpey Did Next

After pressure from the media, campaign groups, and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Taylor Wimpey set up the Ground Rent Review Assistance Scheme (GRRAS). This allowed affected leaseholders to switch their doubling ground rent to a version linked to the Retail Prices Index (RPI).

While that step helped, it didn’t solve everything. Owners were still left with the costs and limitations of a leasehold house. And in many cases, the freehold had already been sold on to investment companies. Those companies may be willing to sell—but not always at a fair price.

Your Taylor Wimpey Leasehold House – Why Buying the Freehold Matters

Owning the freehold of your house gives you control. It removes the ground rent liability and means you are no longer at the mercy of freehold investors. It also makes your home more attractive if you ever want to sell, because buyers are reassured when they know the property is freehold.

With the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, things have become easier:

You can now start the process from day one of ownership (no more two-year waiting period).

The “marriage value” surcharge has been abolished, which reduces costs where leases are shorter.

Common Questions From Taylor Wimpey Leaseholders

Do I have to wait for Taylor Wimpey to offer me a deal?

No. You have a legal right to start the leasehold enfranchisement process yourself, whether the freehold is still owned by Taylor Wimpey or has been sold to a property investor.

Can I rely on the GRRAS scheme instead of buying the freehold?

The scheme only changes how ground rent increases. It does not remove the ground rent, nor does it give you full control of your property.

Is it worth the cost?

In most cases yes, because the long-term value of owning your freehold outweighs the short-term expense. We can advise you on the likely premium and negotiate on your behalf.

Buying the Freehold of Your Taylor Wimpey Leasehold House – How Our Solicitors Can Help

At Bonallack & Bishop our highly specialist 6 strong leasehold team have handled many Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon freehold purchases. And over the years with helped something like 10,000 people in extending their lease or buying their freehold. So we understand the background, we know the tactics freeholders use, and we can guide you through the process from start to finish.

Whether you are just starting to explore your options, or have already received a quote from a freeholder, we can give you clear, practical advice. Our goal is always the same: to help you secure your freehold at the best possible price, with the least stress.

Contact us today to discuss your situation with our specialist leasehold team.