How bad is this?

pboae

I'm a bit vague on this, but as SOF you still techinically have a lease don't you? Which would explain why a floorplan is involved.

Does the added bathroom have a toilet? That would surely involve building regs. Do you know when the alterations were done?

The biggest issue I can see is that you are going to have the same problem if/when you want to sell. Equally, the seller is going to have this problem with every potential buyer, so why not ask them to get a buildings reg certificate and then at least you'll know if there are any issues.

natwill_3

yes it does have a toilet in new bathroom, no idea when it was all done

Already got an indemnity from vendor on buildings ins!!!

Nightmare, as you say I won't proceed if not sorted as won't be able to sell in the future

silvercar

If you do buy it, shred the original floor plan - its not doing you any favours.

pboae

silvercar wrote:

If you do buy it, shred the original floor plan - its not doing you any favours.

You can't if it is part of the lease.

Debt_Free_Chick

natwill wrote:

My solicitor has advised "think carefully before you buy this flat"

Why?

and has written to vendors solicitors.

For what reason, bearing in mind that you pay for this?

He has checked and says no permission to move kitchen, add bathroom or change a 1 bed to a 2 bed flat.

I'll say this again - it would be very unusual to need planning permission to reorganise the internal layout. If I move my dining table into my lounge/bedroom/bathroom/hall etc .... do I need planning permission? I know I don't, but surely I've just reorganised the internal layout of the property?

He doesn't seem very happy

Bearing in mind he's a solicitor, what is he not happy about? Your fees?

He is YOUR solicitor. It's his JOB to tell you if there's a problem; if there is, your options; and to explain to you the pros & cos of each option.

I am potentially going to upset a lot of people here ... but ... you are paying your solicitor 100s of pounds to manage a transaction involving 1,000s pounds.... but you trust a bunch of strangers on an anonymous message board more?

Does that tell you anything about your solicitor? just curious ....

CFC

Your solicitor says you should think carefully. Ask him to fully explain the issues to you and the potential implications. As Pboae has pointed out, also bear in mind that the next buyer will be told the same thing so it may be hard to sell again.

I think that the solicitor is saying to you, in a restrained solicitorish manner, HEY THIS ONE'S A DOG!

I had a similar experience when nearly purchasing a flat. My conveyancer said he wasn't terribly happy with some things in the lease. He advised me to think it over carefully. The next day I called him back, and tried to understand what the real risk was, because I really, really wanted the flat because I loved it and it was a good price.

He was explaining very professionally again that I should consider carefully, and I was obviously being a bit blonde and indecisive, and he very kindly came out and actually said in plain English, "Don't do it, they'll have your pants down!", for which I bless him....so I backed out.

natwill_3

Yes you have hit the nail on the head...solicitor doesn't like lease, and says might be difficult to sell again..alrwady had problems with buildings ins..

Each flat gets own building ins and my solicitor pointed out no cover for foundations or roof so vendor got an indemnity policy for me then a day later this

Trouble is I am desperate to move, buyer for my flat ready,

Ems*Honie

Dont buy in haste because of a waiting buyer, if your having this much difficulty buying it think how difficult it will be to sell it. Speak to your solicitor more, ask him to go over it all in laymans terms. Consider renting whilst you find your next 'perfect' home.

I have heard good and bad things on indemnity policies. Not sure how easy that would be to implemant if your roof collapsed in the middle of winter and you had to chase them up to be able to afford to repair it.

Good luck.

pboae

natwill wrote:

Each flat gets own building ins and my solicitor pointed out no cover for foundations or roof so vendor got an indemnity policy for me then a day later this

The floor plan I would be willing to haggle over, if they got building regs approval, but this would be the deal breaker for me.

An indemnity policy is not an appropriate alternative for building insurance, which should be split between all the flats as part of the service charge. If they aren't even doing that, I would be very concerned that the Freehold is not being managed properly. Unfortunately that is always a risk with SOF properties if the Leaseholders don't have a management company and no-one within the block has the neccessary skills to do the job properly.

natwill_3

They are now going to give me another indemnity policy for buliding regs??