Division of major works costs when selling leasehold

IAmPeach

I'm selling a leasehold flat. We were due to exchange this afternoon, but two invoices arrived on my solicitor's desk this morning from my freeholder. The first is an invoice for major works (external painting etc for two walls) that has been completed. The second is an estimate for the external painting of the other two walls. This work hasn't yet been started.

I don't want to delay the exchange any further, but should I be responsible for paying all these costs? I'm fine if that's the law but there seems something wrong about paying for work not even started yet. I've already agreed to a retention for the annual maintenance charges, and not trying to shirk paying what I should do, but every penny kept makes a huge difference for my family at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any answers...

cattie

I think you have to weigh up whether you want to lose your sale because of the work yet to be carried out.

When I found myself in a similar position a few years ago, I dropped the price of my property by the amount that was estimated for the exterior decoration to be carried out rather than risk losing my buyer.

IAmPeach

Thanks for your reply Cattie. Yes, I think you're right. I don't want to lose this buyer so think I'll just have to put it down to experience this time (and feed my family baked beans on toast for the next month). I think I've just been unlucky too with the timing of the external decoration. But at least the building will look pretty when I don't own it anymore ;/