EMAIL From: Mike Chitty, To: Nigel R Bone
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 8:56 AM

To: Mr Nigel R Bone
NRB, Crawford House
1a Willow Street North
Chingford
London E4 7EG

Dear Mr Bone,

I am a former resident of Wavertree Garden Suburb, Liverpool L15, and I have spent many years researching the history of the area. I also edit the Wavertree Society's Newsletter, and maintain websites on behalf of the Society including a special site devoted solely to Wavertree Garden Suburb (at http://www.liverpool.ndo.co.uk/wgs).

I have recently been approached by a number of current residents of the Garden Suburb, seeking advice and assistance as a result of letters they have received from Messrs Kersh Auctions in Liverpool or from yourself. I understand that you represent Merchant Estate Ltd who have purchased some of the freeholds within Wavertree Garden Suburb, and are now seeking to dispose of them either to the leaseholders, neighbouring property owners or by public auction.

As a result of these approaches I am preparing an article for publication in the Newsletter and on the web, and I should therefore be grateful if you could supply me with some relevant information.

The situation - as represented to me by the residents - seems to be that Merchant Estate Ltd make an 'offer' to sell part of a private garden to the person who may well already own it, threaten them with £500 legal expenses on top of whatever price is agreed, and implicitly - thanks to Messrs Kersh's programme of public auctions - threaten them with confiscation of the land and its handing-over to a third party. This situation seems to have arisen because many of the leases - although the subject of clear documentation which is in the hands of the residents concerned - were created many years ago and have, as a result, not been notified to the Land Registry. Even some titles which have been registered are apparently invisible both to Merchant Estate Ltd and Messrs Kersh.

It seems quite wrong that you are creating unnecessary worry in the minds of local residents, and persuading some of them to part with money without good reason. The prices quoted for purchase of the freehold by existing leaseholders seem well in excess of the fair market rate, based on the length of lease remaining (about 905 years in most cases) and the £8 or so fixed ground rent payable per annum. When previous companies (e.g. Namegrove Ltd circa 1979) behaved similarly badly towards the leaseholders, the local Member of Parliament became involved and the companies concerned very rapidly backed down. Those residents who have sought legal advice more recently have been told that they have nothing to fear; but of course even obtaining such advice can cost money, and some - who may wish to sell their home in the near future - may still worry about prospective purchasers being put off by any sort of dispute over their title to the property.

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