Forced to buy a new Roof

tina_cameron_2

Hi,

I'm 1 of 2 homeowners that reside in a 3 storey ( 6 house) tenement flat.

We have received a letter from the local housing association that they have agreed a contract to start work for a new roof. As we are home owners we will have to pay £12,500 EACH with no warning.

Do these people have the right to do this or can i fight this?

I reside in Scotland.

Thanks

BigLee_24

Am by no means an expert in this but I would expect if they have a contract for a new roof they should pay for it... If your the home owner a cant see how they can force you to buy a roof but that just my thoughts on reading ya thread....

tina_cameron_2

Thanks,

But they can it is in my deeds that i must maintain the property, however i don't see why i should be forced to do it now as they want it, i would think i have the right to hire my own conrtacors if need be.

BigLee_24

Yer I would of thought you can hire whoever you want to do the work.... Have you tried Googling it to see if anyone has had a similer problem?? Or see a solicitor to find out where you stand....

tina_cameron_2

not yet i will do thanks.

Judas

You need to check your deeds and agreements.
Best guess is its a former housing association/council house and they retain properties in the building and thus are responsible for the common areas etc.

If this is the case it is for them to potentially decide the roof needs repaired.
Really you need to find out what the deeds say but I suspect unfortunately they can make this decision and can charge you for your proportion. I suggest you get the deeds etc out give them a read and then give Shelter a phone and ask for some advice.

If they can do the repairs and make the decisions etc without you then there are still appeals processes about costs etc.

Biglee does not have a clue what he is on about and his advice should be ignored.

mikey72

Can't say in scotland, but it is (alledgedy) quite common for private onwers to be charged above the odds for work.
Almost as if the housing associations are placing contracts for repair work for both council and private housing with one contractor, then charging all the cost between the private owners. But I'm sure they wouldn't do that.

molerat

Generally as the freeholders they have the right to make necessary repairs and charge you the appropriate (1/6th) share for them, one of the major drawbacks of purchasing this type of property. You should also have the right to vet the costs and dispute them. Must be some roof for £75K.

tina_cameron_2

Yes they claim the roof is 56 yeard old, they are now saying we will get a 50% grant from the goverment?

4743hudsonj

75k:eek:

I think that theyre just charging the top two flats the whole sum?

24k seems like a more reasonable amount for a roof.

Id question why they arnt charging all 6 flats as you will all be getting benefit from it (if a leak were to occur it would affect them too.).

If thats the case then 4k each is alot more affordable (2k if this grant exists)

tina_cameron_2

There are only 2 home owners within the flats, the housing claim this amout has been split between 6 flats - they are paying for the other 4.