Tower block repairs

Ibanez

Hi all, not sure if this in in the right section.

I dont have all the information about this so I am after a general opinion.

My wife has just got of the phone from her uncle who is in quite a distressed state, he is in quite ill health anyway but this has really made things worse.

He owns a flat in a tower block of about 50 flats, some of which are council tennants some are privatley owned like his. He has just been told that the 2 lifts that service the block are to be refurbished ( he has already paid for this once 16 years ago)

On top of this they are saying that they want to do all the lighting and all the fire hydrants all at the same time.

Now I know that he knows that he is liable for things like this but the fact they want to do all this work all at once is really worring him.

He lives of a teaching pension and some savings including an isa, I think that the money they could want for all this work could leave him in a very poor financial position.

It has really dragged him down even to the point of his doctor being worried about his health. We are going to see him at the weekend and are not sure how we can help or advise him.... any suggestions from anyone before we go to see him would be very appreciated. Is it just tough you have to pay, or can he get help?

Hope this all makes sence, many thanks in advance.

Dave

1echidna

I can see that this could be causing a lot of worry which is not good for anyone let alone someone with health problems. It may be that he has to let developments crystallize a little so that he has some idea of the extent of his liability and how it will affect him. Unfortunately the uncertainty may well be the worst thing. An informal chat with the owners to see how set in stone the works required are and a ballpark figure of the extent of his liability may reassure or not. I don't know whether he can get help but when there is some information you could perhaps approach the CAB together for advice.

DeadCat

I'm not sure I can help but it sounds as though the work could be classed as essential health and safety works and therefore will be carried out whether the leaseholders like it or not.

Have the section 20 notices gone out yet informing the leaseholders that the council plans to recover its costs? If so I suggest you first find out approximately how much the bill will likely cost your wifes' uncle based on his percentage share and take it from there.

Edit: What's the external condition of the tower block like? The last thing your wifes uncle needs is a bill for concrete repairs, window replacement, roof renewal and external redecoration etc. It might be best for him to sell the flat now and move into a small bungalow somewhere.

Ibanez

Outside of the block and windows have all been done.

It is the local council that are suggesting this work, they have told him that the work is out for tender and that they will be in contact after the 9th of september.

As said, it is now the waiting that is making him ill. You and I can say its not long to wait but this really has knocked him back.

I said to my wife tonight that maybe he should try to sell and get into a small block or a bungalow.... but he has lived there for over 30 years...

Ibanez

As for selling up, I dont know but would that not come up on a search by solicitors and then the new buyer would want the money deducted?

It also makes me wonder what happens in these situations if he can not afford to pay what ever the bill is?

1echidna

Obviously I don't know your wife's uncle but my feeling is that it would be best to give him time and space to talk through his fears and apprehensions when you visit. This often in itself can help reconciliation to his situation. If you let him talk and develop his thinking he may well come up with the notion himself that he may need to move in a worst case scenario. Better if he arrives at his own conclusions with only perhaps the slightest of nudges.

DeadCat

Ibanez wrote: »

As for selling up, I dont know but would that not come up on a search by solicitors and then the new buyer would want the money deducted?

Yes, probably, but if your wife's uncle has none or very little mortgage to pay off and moves to a home which is cheaper then it could make sense. He would probably have a better quality of life in a bungalow or small block than a council tower block I would imagine?

Ibanez wrote: »

It also makes me wonder what happens in these situations if he can not afford to pay what ever the bill is?

I'm not sure what his options are when it comes to this - spread the payments over several years? Qualify for assistance or a grant from the government or council? These are things which could be explored I think but I don't know much about it.

Just out of interest, did he receive a hefty bill for the external works and if so how was this paid for?

pimento

You say he's a tenant, then you say he may sell the flat.

Is he an owner or a tenant?

Ibanez

pimento wrote: »

You say he's a tenant, then you say he may sell the flat.

Is he an owner or a tenant?

Sorry my mistake, I think I was a little worked up while writing my post, as my wife came of the phone quite upset about what he was telling her.

He owns the flat, no morgage as far as I know.

Ibanez

DeadCat wrote: »

Just out of interest, did he receive a hefty bill for the external works and if so how was this paid for?

I think he had already had his own windows changed so missed out on that payment, the other work he paid in full I think, but it was sometime back when he was a little better of, and in much better health.

We will try to find out more when we visit, I want to help as much as I can, there is also the feeling of slight embarrassment of trying to find out about his financial position.

My initial thoughts were to try to get him out of there, if he could sell, of to say he can not afford to pay and then spread the cost over a long term?

lincroft1710

I have known councils threaten to put a charge on a property where the owner was unable to pay. The council have to furnish details and costs of the scheme.

Sadly this is one of problems of buying ex council flat in a block.