Do leases have to be identical?

[1stFlat22]

We are in the process of buying a ground floor maisonette in a converted terraced house, there is only one other flat (upstairs).

We are being granted a new lease but the upstairs lease was granted in 1984 and our solicitors says the latter is not been granted on similar terms to ours (newer)....

[1stFlat22]

Ahhh that's what I feared. The freeholder is pushing for completion asap and we're also tired of waiting (the seller solicitor has been particularly incompetent) but we also don't want to be taken for fools and miss this chance to free ourselves from ground rent....

[1stFlat22]

Yes, we're being granted a new lease.
I just don't understand if we can exchange contracts before the 30th of June to fall into the Leasehold reform? or it must be after that date?...

[1stFlat22]

I wish that was the case, unfortunately our freeholder has already made it clear that the 2 leaseholders will have to pay for everything to do with the maintenance of the building, despite the fact he himself has done the bare minimum and we will have to pay for expensive building insurance because...

[1stFlat22]

Can anybody explain this bit in layman's terms?
(1)(c) " it is granted on or after the relevant commencement day, otherwise than in pursuance of a contract made before that day"

We were hoping to complete a property purchase (leasehold with £250 of ground rent) by early...