Schedual of Works - Replacement Communal Door and Entry System

risk

Hi, First post here and after some advice. She owns a ex-council flat and is in a building with 5 other flats which are still council owned. She only just recently brought the flat about 5 months ago.

Since owning the flat the people who own the building (she owns a 125y lease) have sent a letter telling her that they are replacing the front door to the building. This is been replaced because it is noted as a defect, and has been noted as a defect since 2005.

When purchasing the flat this was not mentioned by Aspire to the solicitor and they are requesting payment for the work been carried out. The quote provided by Aspire comes in at £7,188 to be shared between 6 flats. (Just my sisters as she's the only one that owns her lease) So £1200 per flat.

Now this quote covers the cost of materials and labour.

Now my question is, is this reasonable, should she have to pay them considering it has been found that the door has been noted as a defect since 2005, and is the quote reasonable?

Best places to get quotes from if you don't think it is?

This is the door specification;

Aluminium in construction
Powder coated finish (White)
Single glazed with safety glass
Concealed standard quality door closer
night latch lock with internal thumb turn
2 meter post magnet and mounting#handle and push plate
master key system

That's what we were provided with. It's a normal sized door with fixed leaf, about 1800wide and about 2000 high.

If you need any more info i'll try get hold of it. Stoke on Trent Area.

Cheers

phill99

Whether you think the quote is reasonable or not is academic. She, (whoever, 'she' is) cannot force the managing agents to get alternative quotes, nor can she get direct quotes herself. Its under the juristiction of the managing agents and unfortunately its a like it or lump it situation.

teneighty

I'm a bit rusty on leasehold repairs so hopefully someone more knowledgable will be along shortly.

But generally your sister has several routes to challenge this.

As she purchased within 5 months she should have received notification from the landlord/freeholder of all planned works. I believe failure to do this means the landlord cannot recover the amount.

The landlord is obliged to go through a formal consultation process prior to planned maintenance works, Section 20 Landlord and Tenant Act. Again failure to do so means the landlord cannot recover the amount.

Finally the landlord is only allowed to repair like for like without consent, so if the communal door is being upgraded for a new security door and entry system, subject to the above being ok, your sister would only need to pay her contribution of the cost of repairing or replacing what was there originally.

Like I said, dont rely on this as I'm out of date but would suggest you speak to a solicitor or wait for someone who knows what they're talking about.

Good Luck