Help Support the Morello Quarter Leaseholder Court Case

My name is Sonia and I am a leaseholder at Morello Quarter in Basildon.

Over the past year it has become clear that the ground rent clause in our leases is causing serious problems for residents. A number of lenders have refused mortgages on flats in the development because of the way the ground rent is structured.

This has had real consequences for people here. Properties have struggled to sell, buyers have withdrawn when mortgages were refused, and some residents have been forced to accept significantly reduced offers simply to move on.

After spending months gathering evidence and speaking with other leaseholders, I decided to take action.

I have now issued a County Court claim asking the court to interpret Clause 7.6 of the lease, which deals with the level of ground rent where the current structure inhibits a sale or mortgage.

The claim has been formally issued and served, and the landlord’s solicitors have until 11 March 2026 to respond.

To get the case started I have already paid the £377 court issue fee myself, and I will upload the receipt so everything is fully transparent.

Tomorrow I am meeting with a specialist property litigation solicitor to obtain formal legal advice on the case and the best way to proceed.

This case potentially affects many leaseholders across the development. Several residents have already asked if there is a way they can contribute towards the legal costs involved, which is why I have created this page.

Legal advice and court proceedings are expensive, and while I was prepared to take the first step personally, continuing the case will inevitably involve further costs.

The initial target for this page is £1,000, which will help cover:

• The court fee already paid £377

• Specialist legal advice £480

• Ongoing costs associated with pursuing the claim

I will continue to share updates so everyone can see exactly how the case progresses.

This is about ensuring that leaseholders have clarity and fairness in the interpretation of the lease.

Thank you to everyone who has already offered support and Sonia