[2025] UKUT 00078 (LC)

The appellants, Mr Gary Hanson and Mrs Julie Hanson, are the registered owners of a long leasehold interest in a first floor flat at 36 Charlmont Road, London SW17 9AJ (“the property”). The respondent freeholders of the property, Desmond Thoedore Harding, Ponnundurai Balendran and Umakanthi Balendran cannot be found.

On 8 June 2023 the appellants issued a Part 8 Claim at the County Court in Wandsworth for a vesting order for a new lease under section 50(1) of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (“the 1993 Act”). Section 50 of the 1993 Act concerns claims for a lease extension where the landlord cannot be found and enables the court to make a vesting order in respect of any interests of the landlord which are liable to acquisition.

On 4 September 2023 the County Court ordered that the matter be transferred to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (“the FTT”) for the purpose of determining the new lease terms and any premium payable under Schedule 13 of the 1993 Act in respect of the grant of the new lease.