Category:Privately owned estates in London

Until recently the ownership interest referred to comprised generally a freehold interest in real estate let on long leases. That is to say reversionary interests in land and buildings, with the right before expiry of the leases to charge annual ground rent and to refuse any alterations to the use of the land and structure and appearance of the buildings. The passing of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 severely restricted the power of estates to retain freehold titles indefinitely, and allowed the leaseholders (on meeting various specified conditions) to compulsorily purchase the freehold interest, at a (heavily-discounted) price fixed by a formula within the legislation. After 1967 the form of ownership of real estate owned by estates changed to reflect the effect of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967, meaning that estates now avoid granting long-leases liable to compulsory purchase, unless forced to renew a long-lease under other legislation.