The Mayor's Executive Decision Making committee was scheduled to consider the enfranchisement of two properties. This process allows leaseholders to acquire the freehold interest of their building.

Enfranchisement of 33 & 33a Approach Road and 11-12 Wine Close

The committee was scheduled to discuss the enfranchisement of two separate properties: 33 & 33a Approach Road, E2 9LY, and 11-12 Wine Close, E1W 3RQ. In July 2025, the Council received valid section 13 notices from the leaseholders of these properties, indicating their intention to acquire the freehold. Each of these blocks comprises a house with two leasehold flats.

The report indicated that the Council is legally required to respond to these enfranchisement claims by 30 September 2025 to enter into negotiations regarding the terms, including the premium to be paid by the nominee purchasers. The report detailed the premiums proposed by the nominee purchasers: £22,232 for the freehold interest and £75.00 for the garden land at 33 Approach Road, and £8,500 for the freehold interest and £50.00 for additional land at 11-12 Wine Close.

However, the Council's own valuation suggested that higher premiums might be achievable, estimating £31,000 for Approach Road and £14,500 for Wine Close. The Council also aimed to negotiate overage provisions, entitling them to 50% of any future increase in the value of the transferred land for a period of 25 years. The report noted that the Council would not impose usual easements or restrictive covenants as the blocks and land are self-contained. The transfer of these properties would mean the Council would no longer be responsible for compliance areas such as Fire Risk Assessments, remediation, and legionella testing for these specific blocks.

The report referenced the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993¹, which governs the process of leasehold enfranchisement. This legislation outlines the conditions under which leaseholders can collectively acquire the freehold, including requirements for the building's composition and the leaseholders' long leases. The report also mentioned the upcoming Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024², which will alter the requirement for nominee purchasers to cover the Council's costs for assessing eligibility and valuation.

The report recommended that the Mayor approve the enfranchisement of these two properties and the negotiation of the terms. The nominee purchasers for 33 Approach Road were identified as Kevin Anthony Gerard O'Connor and Marta Salogni, while WCL Freehold Limited was named as the nominee purchaser for 11-12 Wine Close.