Why was leasehold an attractive option for landlords selling flats?

Leasehold arrangements present an attractive option for landlords, particularly when selling flats, primarily because they allow landlords to retain a significant degree of control over the property. By opting for a leasehold structure, landlords can sell the individual flats to buyers while maintaining management and oversight of the entire block. This means landlords can enforce rules and conduct maintenance or upgrades, ensuring that the property is managed according to their standards.

Maintaining control over the block through the leasehold system can also be financially beneficial for the landlord. It allows for a consistent revenue stream through ground rent or service charges, which can be set at levels that ensure adequate maintenance and management of common areas without requiring outright sales of the freehold.

The other options presented do not align with the primary reasons landlords find leasehold arrangements attractive. Higher rental prices can occur in some scenarios, but they are not inherent to the leasehold structure itself. Full ownership is not applicable in leasehold arrangements since the buyer does not own the land. Simplifying property taxes is unrelated to the core benefits of leasehold agreements in the context of retaining management and control over properties.