i have a house on a long lease and want to buy the freehold off the council. Anyone done this? Painful? And can anyone who has done this tell me what it cost?

Cheers!

Yep I bought mine about 3 years ago.
Mine was held by the developer (new estate) it cost me 10 times the annual ground rent, about a grand, plus solicitors fees, came to about £1300, dead easy and well worth it in my opinion.

lovely, cheers for answering. My ground rent is only £10 a year, but i dont like the council looking over my shoulder!