Landlord/freeholder refusing to do repairs

raisinchicky

Hi all,

I'd appreciate some help!

I recently bought a leasehold flat. The lease document was nice and clear about who was responsible for what, and I felt confident in the purchase.

I've since stripped off the wallpaper in the front bedroom and found a patch of (I suspect) rain penetrating damp. There's a drainpipe running down the external wall at exactly this point, so I think there's a fault in the rendering on the front of the building, possibly coupled with some poor-fitting guttering/drainpipe. The lease explicitly states that the landlord/freeholder is responsible for repair and maintenance to the external walls, guttering and drainpipes (amongst other things).

I rang the managing agent to request the repair work, and was told to email the details. I duly did so, and received a brief reply telling me that the landlord is not responsible for repairs and that the 5 long leaseholders are. No explanation or supporting evidence, just that one sentence.

I replied querying this and restating my case. I asked if the lease had changed somehow and asked for a copy of the amended documents (pretty sure this isn't the case but thought I'd play nice to start with!).

Two weeks later, and I've still had no response. My downstairs neighbour says he's been told the same thing in the past, and that he had just accepted it. He doesn't think he has ever paid a service charge, and isn't aware of the landlord ever carrying out any work on the property (he's been here a good few years). I was expecting to be charged 20% of actual cost, as per my lease.

It seems like the landlord and/or managing agent are just completely ignoring the lease, and that none of the leaseholders have challenged this (because they haven't needed to, I guess). However, I don't want to have to pay for the render to be repaired by myself, and I can't ignore it as it's causing damage to my flat. Any suggestions on what to do next would be appreciated!!

Thanks,
Tanya

G_M

Double check your lease, but you are probobly right as this is normal.

Put your request for repair in writing (letter) together with a copy of the relevant part of the lease.

Be prepared for the cost to come back on you some way - although the freeholder may be responsible for getting the repairs done, it is usual for leaseholders (jointly) to bear the cost, either through one-off charges for each peice of work, or from an annual management fee.

So check your lease for this too.

Furthare help is available from Leaseadvice.