Fee to ask Freeholder's permission

lottie$_2

Hi,

Just after some advice really - just bought a leasehold flat, and want to put replacement windows in. I have been told that as well as obtaining planning permission first, I need to pay £250 + VAT for the Managing Agents to oversee the work and ask the freeholder's permission (extra as planning permission is involved).

I think this is a bit steep - does anyone have any experiece in this area?

Thanks
.....

lottie$_2

bump .........

goldbyron

I have just done the same thing...and waiting for the fee. My partner (who lives in the upstairs flat) paid £75 for permission. Didn't require planning permission though - why do you need this? I haven't heard of people acquiring PP for windows before?

CB1979_2

well just so you know, I don't how legally the can, but my one sure tries it on.

i asked him if I was allowed:
a sky dish up (in lease says no, but notice others have)
a burglar alarm installed
and finally are there any outstanding bills to pay

I had to send my email 3 times!

very simply questions, his email response was:

Thank you for your email of the 22nd August but I must point out to you that as we only receive a small pittance in respect of ground rent that we are unable to answer several questions without payment of a fee of £100 + VAT.

However, the only outstanding invoice for flat 2 is the insurance premium of £498.56 the invoice was sent to.....


now surely a reply of

1) yes/no
2) yes/no
3) £498.56 for insurance

that kind of response would've been quicker and actually answered my questions! lol

pigeonpie

Ha ha ha, excuse me but only 3 emails - I could weep!! We have been waiting for the freeholder to reply for 6 weeks or more. He keeps promising and then reneging. He has been emailed 6 times and phoned (where he answered the phone) 4 times. Usually it just rings as he's on the golf course or whatever.
There should be a statutory obligation on them to reply within 28 days maximum or the consents and Deed of Variations in a lease are deemed to be granted, without having to pay lawyers. Our parasite lives off his income from over 100 freeholds. He's been offered £1000 for the DoV and the Licence as well.

olly300

You only need planning permission for replacement windows if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.

The best thing to do is check with your council whether your building is listed or in a conservation area.

Then get in touch with your freeholder.

lottie$_2

I have been on to our local planning department, and you need planning permission to replace windows in a flat, irrespecive of whether it's listed or not. Had this confirmed by 3 different people, as I wasn't convinced.

MegS

I've know you need building regs but other than the listed building example mentioned above I've never heard of planning permission. Are you putting the windows in the roof?

olly300

lottie$ wrote:

I have been on to our local planning department, and you need planning permission to replace windows in a flat, irrespecive of whether it's listed or not. Had this confirmed by 3 different people, as I wasn't convinced.

Odd council. They obviously like the money from simple planning applications.

I mean, how many people are going to object to putting new windows in your flat as long as it fits in with the conditions on your lease? Do they want all in flats in the area to have rotten windows?

lottie$_2

Just got an official reply in writing from the council:

As your property is a flat and not a single dwelling house, permitted
development rights under the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) Order 1995, do not apply. I must therefore advise you that
planning permission will in fact be required for the replacement windows.

What a bind.....