Frequently Asked Questions

After you have logged into your account you can update, or just check out, your contact details on the 'My Details' page. This video is a quick overview on how to do just that and, for best results, please view it on a tablet or desktop computer.

When you first sign into your account you need to confirm your details. The "Pay" button has also moved. We have tried to demonstrate what to expect when accessing your account for the first time and have created a quick video showing you this process. For best viewing results, please view this on a tablet or desktop computer.

HomeGround offers four different payment options:

1. Online via the customer portal
   • Log in to make a payment. This is the easiest way to pay and ensures your payment appears on your account immediately.
   • To register on our portal, please click here..
2. Phone payment on our automated line
   • Please call 03300 887953 and follow the instructions. You will need your 12-digit customer reference number so we can identify you. Standard call rates apply. Calls from mobiles or landlines may be included in free call packages.
   • Please note, payments made on the automated payment line may take up to 24 hours to appear on your account.
3. Other Methods
   • HomeGround are unable to accept provide a direct debit functionality.
   • If you are unable to pay by the above means, please contact us so we can see how we can help.

Paying your ground rent is usually a condition of your lease and is an unavoidable legal requirement. You will need to prove you have paid your ground rent before you can sell your lease or make property alterations. 

We issue ground rent demand notices 30 days before the due date (in accordance with the Leasehold Reform Act) and there are penalties for non-payment. If we have not received a payment from you 14 days after the due date, we send: 

• a first reminder letter, which will not incur a fee;
• a second reminder letter (7 days later), for which you are charged £45;
• if the invoice has still not been settled after another 7 days, then you will be charged a court referral fee of £120 and you will receive a letter informing you that your landlord has instructed solicitors to carry out enforcement action. 

If you have a query about a ground rent notice or reminder, or you have difficulty paying, then please contact us as soon as possible and we pledge to deal with your queries as effectively as possible. 

Unfortunately, ground rent is based on the property rather than on ownership and under the Limitation Act of 1980 you could be liable for up to six years of ground rent arrears. 

Your solicitor should have advised you about any ground rent arrears at the time of purchase. If they didn’t you may need to seek independent advice. 

If you pay using HomeGround's online system, you can view your payments on My Transacitons or request a statement emailed directly to you from your My Dashboard. 

If the sale is completed before the invoice is due to be paid, we will update our records and reissue the invoice to the new owner. 

If the sale is not completed by the date payment is due, as the leaseholder you remain liable for the ground rent and the outstanding amount will need to be settled in full. Your solicitor should arrange for you to be reimbursed by the purchaser for the period when you are not the leaseholder. 

A Reinstatement Cost Assessment for building insurance purposes is a professional calculation of the cost to rebuild a property, including, demolition, professional fees and VAT. This should be carried out by a fully qualified and RICS regulated  organisation / person, who will advise on the correct Declared Value which should be used for insurance purposes

A Declared Value is the value declared to insurers as the full cost to reinstate the building if this were totally destroyed (including demolition, professional fees and VAT). The Declared Value is one of the key factors used by insurers to calculate the insurance premium they require for the insurance cover provided.

The insurance policy contains an average condition that stipulates that if at the time of a claim, the Declared Value shown on the insurance certificate is less than the actual cost to reinstate, the insurer only needs to pay the same proportion of the claim as the Declared Value represents of the actual value at risk.

For example, should your property be insured for an amount which is 50% of the total cost to rebuild, then ANY claim made will be
settled by insurers at 50% of the total claim/reinstatement cost, as shown below:

1. Declared Value £150,000 vs actual value at risk (as evidence by an RCA) £300,000 = 50% “insured”
2. A claim occurs for water damage to the inside of the building, and the cost to repair the building is estimated at £20,000.
3. Insurers will settle this claim at £10,000 and require that the building Declared Value be increased and an additional premium paid for the increase

The average clause does not apply provided that valuations are carried out by qualified RICS members at regular intervals and the results provided to insurers, and an inflationary increase (index linking) is applied at each policy renewal in the years between an RCA.

‘It is prudent to incorporate recommendations within the report to the effect that the client needs to reassess the declared value on a regular basis, with an annual adjustment to reflect inflationary effects, and a major review and reassessment every three years, or earlier should significant alterations be made to the insured property.’
RICS GUIDANCE NOTE, FEBRUARY 2018