Help compiling a letter/signed statement please?

JennyW_2

Here's the story. We're purchasing a flat from my in-laws (FIL will be freeholder/landlord). I received the draft contract yesterday to check and there was a clause stating that we are not to make any structural changes/alterations (I believe these are standard comments?) anyway my in-laws have already said that we can make alterations and we have discussed it with them (ie taking a wall down, new bathroom, conversion of bathroom to bedroom). We have already spoken to the local authorities too.

I explained this to my solicitor yesterday and he said that to safeguard us we need to get my father in-law to state his agreement in writing. My solicitor does not need to sight this document, however it would be a document we would keep as in the future we would have to present it for future buyers plus when you fill out your sellers questionnaire, we would need to produce it when asked about any alterations to the flat. It would be signed, dated and witnessed.

Could someone please help me with the correct wording? Would it be as simple as:

I "FIL's name" of "FIL's address" hereby give my permission for the following works/alterations to be carried out at property address "Flat 1, blah, blah"[/I

1. list of works
2. list of works
3. list of works

etc, etc

Also we want to erect a shed (this they have already agreed to), should we include this too in the statement?

Thank you

Ian_W

Hi Jenny,
Only thing I would add is to make it clear he is the freeholder of x address at the time he gives permission.
"FIL's name" of "FIL's address" hereby give my permission as freeholder of this address for the following works/alterations to be carried out at property address "Flat 1, blah, blah"
Unless there is any prescribed form, you just need to be able to show permission was given I would have thought.
As for garden shed, depends whether the lease requires it, but at the end of the day you can always take that down - whereas it's much more difficult to restore structural alterations. If you had a £ for every garden shed that was erected on leasehold property w/o freeholders permission you'd be mighty rich!!

JennyW_2

Thanks Ian and thanks for the bit about noting he's the freeholder.