Change of share of freehold

[Noosch]

Hello,

We are four flats in the same buidling, and we share the freehold. I bought my flat last year, and another one of the shareholders has just sold their flat upstairs - as recently appointed company secretary (the freehold is a registered company with HM Revenue) I should now make sure these changes are reflected at the land registry.

I have no idea how to begin - can anyone tell me if this is something I can do myself by filling out a specific form, or should I go through a sollicitor to do this?

Thanks for your help!

Noosch

[sgclacy]

As I undertand it, you and your fellow lessees own the freehold via a company. Therefore when the flats change hands the shareholdings will need to be updated as presumably only lessees can be shareholders in the company. A standard term in the M & A and aricles of association. If this is the case there is no need to notify the Land Rehistry just companies house when you do the Annual Return

[leaseholder001]

The procedure is quite complicated and I advise purchasing a book on Company Secretarial Practice.

You should receive a stock transfer form and the old share certificate. There are then several steps that you must take which ends up with the register of members being updated, a new share certificate being issued and the transfer forms being securely filed.

[jeffrey]

Is the company limited:
a by shares; or
b. by guarantee?
The Memo/Articles will state explicitly which of these applies.

[Gordon999]

1. How did you become appointed Company Secretary ? I suggest you contact the previous company secretary and ask for summary& explanation of CS duties and a handover of all the company records including -

Articles and memorandum of association,
Record of company directors and members,
Record of leaseholders and mortgage charges ,
Buildings insurance policy and any past service charge accounts.
Copy of any replies to solicitors pre-sale enquiries.

2. For upkeep of company, go to www.companieshouse.gov.uk and check the due dates for annual accounts return + payment of company fee and members list.
If necessary, buy the company info pack and check members list and names correspond to the leaseholders. This will require up dating.

[jeffrey]

I suggest you contact the previous company secretary and ask for summary& explanation of CS duties.
He/she may not be able to help all that much! Instead, I'd recommend obtaining official and authoritative guidance.
Companies House has useful information here: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/infoAndGuide/faq/secretaries.shtml