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Jamie Reid welcomes you to this very special News on the Block supplement - Enfranchisement 2008: Central London

Welcome to this special NOTB supplement on enfranchisement. It’s a big supplement about a big issue for leaseholders, buying out their landlord and taking control of their assets.

News on the Block’s regular columnist (and one of the original campaigners back in 1993) adds her own unique take on the enfranchisement landscape and recalls the often difficult path that has led us to where we are today.

The former CEO of LEASE and News on the Block's associate publisher considers some of the benefits available to leaseholders should they opt to go down the route of enfranchisement

Alastair Stimson, associate in Savills’ Residential Valuation and Litigation Support Department and enfranchisement expert, introduces the subject and explains why it has never been more important to consider purchasing your freehold.

Before you can successfully file for enfranchisement, it is essential you do your research to make sure your block is eligible. Nic Shulman deciphers between those that can, and those that can’t.

News on the Block spoke with Natasha Rees of leading London law firm Forsters, to discuss the pros and cons of the options available to flat dwellers when their leases are running down.

Justin Bennett, director of the chartered surveyor firm Langley Byers Bennett, emphasises the importance of pulling together and making sure this vital stage in the process is carried out without complication.

Jamie Reid offers a snapshot of how the landlord’s loss is compensated, and the four cornerstones of the valuation process.

Anna Favre of Pemberton Greenish recalls how one recent landmark case has outlined the prerequisites to something many already thought they knew – what constitutes a house?

Few areas of property law have generated as much opposition or debate as enfranchisement. Referring to the compulsory purchase of a landlord’s estate, it is unique in being the only legal means by which a tenant can do that anywhere in the world. Of course, London is unique in the way that its richest areas are owned by aristocratic landlords, but in the 40 years following its introduction, what effect has it had on the freeholders? Andrew Teacher finds out.

Jonathan Gavaghan, a barrister at Ten Old Square and an expert on enfranchisement, looks back at some of the decisions that formed the enfranchisement landscape and some of the lessons learnt along the way.

Kenneth Munro is one of the lading barristers in leasehold enfranchisement and was Counsel for the Church Commissioners in the Blendcrown case, for two of the three landlords in Sportelli and for the landlord in Hildron judgement. Here he provides an update post Sportelli.

Anyone acquiring the freehold to their house will need to think about two taxes in particular, stamp duty land tax (SDLT) and capital gains tax (CGT). Martin Codd of Dawsons LLP reports.

Alex Greenslade writes that a flat owner does not need to know about lease length, freeholders, reversions and marriage values… until the day they receive a letter informing them of their right of first refusal or a neighbour says, “Hey, why don’t we buy the block’s freehold?”

Phillip Rainey of Tanfield Chambers emphasises the importance of seeking professional advice, and outlines the role a barrister should play in the enfranchisement of a block.

Mike Boles, director at Savills Private Finance, talks through the importance of budget planning, and outlines the long-term financial benefits associated with collective enfranchisement.

The first thing to understand is which costs you are certainly going to be liable for as a group. These are the foreseeable costs you’ll need to budget for, Jamie Reid explains