Who is considered an absent freeholder?
An absent freeholder refers to the legal owner or landlord of a property who is not actively involved or available in the management or maintenance of the property. There is no specific definition of who is considered an absent freeholder, as it can vary depending on individual circumstances. However, some common scenarios where a freeholder may be considered absent include:
- Physical absence: The freeholder is physically unavailable or resides in a different location, making it challenging for them to fulfill their responsibilities or communicate with leaseholders.
- Lack of communication: The freeholder does not respond to communication attempts from leaseholders or fails to provide necessary permissions or information related to the property.
- Neglect of responsibilities: The freeholder neglects their obligations to maintain the property, address maintenance issues, or resolve disputes, resulting in a lack of active involvement in the property's management.
- Non-engagement: The freeholder does not participate in important decisions or meetings related to the property's management or fails to provide required services or resources to leaseholders.
It's important to note that the determination of an absent freeholder may be subjective and dependent on the specific circumstances of each case. In such situations, leaseholders may need to explore legal options or seek advice from professionals, such as solicitors or property management experts, to address the challenges posed by an absent freeholder.