Freeholds cost us

Because the homeowners were not given enough time to prepare the necessary documentation by the council, subsequently time ran out and the land was sold at auction. Anyone could have bought these freeholds.

Exactly the same thing happened to me and dozens of my neighbours in 2002.

After that event the council admitted they had made mistakes, that 'lessons had been learned' and 'it would not happen again' - but here they are five years on, still up to their old tricks.

Because there isn't enough money to be made, Sheffield City Council aren't interested in selling their freehold and leasehold interests to a few individual householders on an estate because they know how much more revenue can be derived from the sale of the entire estate at auction.

After the auction the homeowners are left to deal with the new landlord - the council have got their money and they're not bothered if these homeowners have been massively inconvenienced or not.

The new owners of the freeholds could possibly be property management companies who may try to charge the householder any price they want by issuing bullying, aggressive, deliberately misleading and sometimes untruthful letters to the homeowners involved, telling them what might happen eventually to their properties if they don't accept the companies' over-inflated price to purchase the freehold.

The homeowners can have their own land valuation done then apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to determine a fair and reasonable price to use in any future negotiations.

Most private homeowners have the legal right to purchase the freehold and leasehold titles of their own property by serving notice under the Leasehold Reform Act. When the title holder intends selling their freehold and/or their leasehold interest, I believe they are/should be legally bound to give the homeowners of property on the land in question first refusal to buy before disposal. By not giving sufficient notice of their intentions the council has robbed the Hollybank residents the opportunity to purchase their freeholds at a fair and acceptable price.

Details you need can be obtained on-line (small charge payable), or by post from the Land Registry, Nottingham.

S Bullen, Waterthorpe