I own a 999 year lease at Bromyard House. Berkeley Homes is the landlord. I received in the post last week (June 25 2009) a demand notice for ground rent covering the periods 2007 and 2008. Is the landlord allowed to delay issung an invoice for ground rent beyond a 3-6 month period from when it becomes due? My lease is silent on the issue of when invoices should be issued to leaseholders for ground rent charges. Please advise if I could refuse to pay the 2007-2008 ground rents without fear of penalty or forefiture of my lease?

Thanks for your response. I can understand the bank wanting to protect their interest against adult kids who still live in the property beyond 18 but someone's spouse / civil partner? Do they have a right to remain in the property owing to their legal relationship with the person who's name is on the deed if something were to happen to him/her. Why does a bank force a spouse or civil partner to sign this consent letter as it removes their right to occupation?

My civil partner has applied for a first direct mortgage. The flat is in her name and the application was not a joint one. We received today a letter of consent which I am supposed to sign and return as a condition for getting the mortgage. Is it legal to demand that a civil partner / spouse sign this document?