Flat number problem

sundaygirl_2

Not sure if this is the right place for this but here goes.

I moved into my flat around 4 years ago and there was some confusion over the flat number. I was told flat 1 then 2 then finally the seller confirmed it was 3. As there was confusion we made sure flat 3 went onto the title deeds and a sign was put on the door. A year later my neighbour came to me and said he though he was flat 3 although his council tax and everything said 2/1. Counting the flats in the building he is probably right but nothing came of it.

Now 3 years on he has put up a sign on his door saying flat 3 and I'm not sure what to do. My mail will probably go to his house. My council tax, mortgage, insurance, electoral register etc is all under flat 3 and land registry says I own flat 3 but counting doors he is probably in the right. Not sure why he suddenly wants his house number back.

G_M

How many flats in the building? Per floor?
What does your lease say?
What do Royal Mail say?
Did you buy the flat from new? What did the Developer say? Sometimes these issues arise because during construction Developers allocate 'site numbers' to each flat, which bear no relationship with the ultimate flat number - maybe you or your neighbour are confusing these.

If the LR Title says 3, then I'd guess you have 3.

Download the leasehold Titles of the other flats from the Land Registry (£4) and see which one corresponds with the name of your neighbour. If it is 2, then show him his Title deed!

If the problem can't be resolved, you might need legal advice.

sundaygirl_2

It is a weird layout hence the confusion. There are 3 on the ground but 1 is accessed through a separate door. I am on the middle and there are only 2 flats there and 3 on the top floor. Most people just have their names on the door or use the 1/1 numbering except me and my neighbour who both have Flat 3...

His is the first as you come up the stairs and mine right next door. So I feel the postman will see his first. I've had mail for 4 years and no problem but we got letters saying there was a new postman last week. I got mail fine with the new postman but that was before the sign went up.

I'm also worried that I insure flat 3 but now he is suddenly flat 3.

Also its a very old building, over 100 years.

propertyman

Royal Mail have nothing to do with it.

As suggested look at the deeds and title plans matching which unit to each location.

if it is a newer build/refurbishment, Local Council's, not the Royal mail, allocate addresses, and the developers plans should be matched to the council's allocation.

Owain_Moneysaver

I may be completely wrong about this, but I would be concerned that he would be trying to use "your" Flat 3 for identity or mail theft and get the letters/parcels delivered to "his" Flat 3.

There are a lot of local variations in flat numbering; I lived in a block where we, the post, the council, and the electricity, all used different systems.

tom717

If you've just been told you have a new postman and your neighbour responds by changing the number on his door, I would worry he is deliberately trying to receive your mail.

Sorry I can't be of any help. G_M's advice sounded good to me.

kmmr

I suggest you sort it out though. My OH's old place was 24A, and 24B was upstairs. However, on the plans we found out his flat was actually 24, and upstairs was 24A.

Annoying, but not a big problem until upstairs defaulted on their mortgage, and the flat was repossessed. Cue lots of worrying letters saying 'we are about to come and repossess' etc, and he had to keep all his documentation at the door just in case. It all worked out in the end, but an extra stress that isn't needed in life!

G_M

sundaygirl wrote: »

It is a weird layout hence the confusion. There are 3 on the ground but 1 is accessed through a separate door. I am on the middle and there are only 2 flats there and 3 on the top floor. Most people just have their names on the door or use the 1/1 numbering except me and my neighbour who both have Flat 3...

His is the first as you come up the stairs and mine right next door. So I feel the postman will see his first. I've had mail for 4 years and no problem but we got letters saying there was a new postman last week. I got mail fine with the new postman but that was before the sign went up.

I'm also worried that I insure flat 3 but now he is suddenly flat 3.

Also its a very old building, over 100 years.

In addition to my earlier advice (land registry) I would visit the local RM sorting office and talk to them. Explain. At the very least ensure that the new postan knows that post addressed to Ms X goes to the 2nd door on that floor - and put your name on the door for the time being.

Set up sounds wierd. If there are 3 flats on the ground floor, you'd expect them to be 1, 2 & 3 - with your flat being 4 or 5 on the middle floor!

DEFINATELY get the Land Registry Titles for the whole block!

Who owns the Freehold? Is there a Management Company? Contact them too.

Torry_Quine

This sounds like an Edinburgh tenement to me. I know someone who lives in one and they have the numbers 1/1 etc.

If you can't agree on numbers maybe you need to have a description such as 1st floor left, right, middle as there can be no argument as to which is which.

sundaygirl_2

Its located in Scotland so no such thing as freehold/leasehold it's feudal tenor (or something) I think its most like freehold.

My solicitor put Flat 3 on the title deeds and I was under the impression if we were able to do that then there was no other Flat 3 registered. I think the deeds said first floor on the right or something previously.

Its weird he would put up a sign when the door next says the same and not even chap my door to mention it.

I'm worried I'm in the wrong though and need to change everything. I will speak with the sorting office tomorrow and see what they say. I might put up a poster in the close to warn the postman in the meantime.

sundaygirl_2

Torry_Quine wrote: »

This sounds like an Edinburgh tenement to me. I know someone who lives in one and they have the numbers 1/1 etc.

If you can't agree on numbers maybe you need to have a description such as 1st floor left, right, middle as there can be no argument as to which is which.

Yeah that is how it was originally but modern living means when you apply for anything or try to buy online you must pick a flat number not second left or anything.