Placing a notice in the London Gazette- been told we need a solicitor

[whataboutbob]

We have been advised by Lease, the government body, to place an ad in the LG asking our absentee freeholder to get in touch . We wish to do some work on our flat which will involve re routing a soil pipe. So we contacted the LG , it will cost about £150. We composed the notice and emailed it over, now they are saying we need a solicitor to write the notice. So more money. Obviously they can say what they want, but it seems everyone is getting a cut of our money just because we want to do some work on our flat. Is this right? Is there anything we can do to convince them to accept our notice? It’s pretty simple: freeholder, get in touch. Thanks for any advice.

A notice in the Gazette is classed as an official public record, so notices can only be placed by someone who is registered and verified acting in an official capacity. I'm afraid, therefore, the answer to your question is no - there is nothing you can do to convince them to accept your notice.

Have you contacted national leasehold campaign on face book? There will probably be someone there who can help you .

Thanks everyone. I understand that LG is a government body. It’s just frustrating that as a leaseholder, every step you take to sort out issues with your property involves having to pay every one in sight. Surveyors to value the property to extend the lease, the absentee freeholder, solicitors, the London gazette and back to solicitors. It’s a money go round and it feels truly Dickensian.
I’ll check out the the national leasehold campaign. At least there’s Lease, also a government body which gives free advice and I have found them useful. Contacted a firm of solicitors today, the right person is in AL and back next week. Hopefully they won’t charge too much to draft the letter.