Commentary on the Sections: Part 1 Absent Landlords Section 148: Applications to be to county court
244.Section 148 amends section 27 of the 1967 Act.  Section 27 confers powers on the High Court in cases where a leaseholder of a house wishes to buy the freehold but the landlord cannot be found.  The amendments transfer jurisdiction from the High Court to a county court.  This will allow a county court to issue a vesting order so that the freehold can be bought in the absence of the landlord, where it is satisfied that certain conditions have been met.  In addition, the sum paid by the leaseholder for the freehold will be paid to a county court rather than the Supreme Court following these changes.