Buying Ex-Local Authority property and wanting double glazing

492800

Hello fellow forumers,
I'm in the process of buying a ex-LA flat in Lambeth (its only a small block)
At present it has single glazing but I'd love to get some double glazing when I move in.. Does anyone know how one would go about doing this, or of any pitfalls (due to it being leasehold and council etc)

any info appreciated..
Thanks :-)

theartfullodger

492800 wrote: »

....Does anyone know how one would go about doing this, ...

Yeah: You pay for it...

492800

hehe, I guessed that part :-)

I was more curious that since its a communal block, and pay service charges, what happens if in 2 years after I get new windows the council/leasholder then decides everyone should have new windows and uses the communal sinking fund.

Also does anyone know if councils are good at responding to these requests.

G_M

You can get it installed yourself, at your own cost, AFTER obtaining the freeholder (council's?) permission.

The council may 'do up' the building at some stage in the future. So for example 3 years from now they may install double glazing throughout the building. Of course, they will pass on the cost of this to any leaseholders (like you) probobly via a one-off charge (but possibly out of a sinking fund if you've all been overpaying annual service charge).

If this happens, and you've already installed your own glazing with the prior permission, then you can opt out of the upgrade and avoid their charge (which may or may not be cheaper than what you pay to do it yourself).

Kynthia

I'm not sure that council's have sinking funds. When I investigated buying a leasehold flat where the council was the freeholder there definitely wasn't one.

492800

G_M, perfect, thanks for the summary. just what I needed.

Kynthia.. hopefully there is one.. Ill find out when the paperwork comes thru in the next couple of weeks.. fingers crossed.

princeofpounds

Lambeth has been doing a big window upgrade over the past few years (as have a number of London councils i think). Bit surprised they haven't got around to this block.

You do need to be a bit careful. You don't want to be in a situation where you install windows, and then get billed for a share of the block's windows when the council do it for everyone else.

Council upgrades of things like windows have been known to be... not very competitive for private leaseholders... although I can't comment about Lambeth in particular.

Ask your solicitor about this and how it would be handled under the lease.

BottomRung

According to our lease, ex-council flat run by Housing Association, the windows are maintained by the Freeholder (HA) and any repair/maintenance or replacement would be done by them. The problem that may occur if this wasn't the case is that everyone would have different style windows and the block would look very messy. I'm sure you could speak to the Freeholder and ask them what their plans are for the windows.

SecondTimeBuyer

One thing to consider is that when buying the leasehold of an ex-council flat you often do not 'own' the windows, so Lambeth may even decline you putting in double glazing. Lambeth will also probably insist that you go for Aluminium framed windows as uPVC melt and burn upwards when there is a fire, this could lead to flat above 'catching' a fire that started in your flat.

492800

well, certainly some things to look into. Thank you everyone.

There is a property near by in the next block that has new windows, but that is the only one. So hopefully that is a good sign.
I'll have to find out the freeholder and get anything determined written down.
But to be honest, If i wasn't allowed double glazing on my bedroom window (for noise), it could be a deal breaker for me.

Owain_Moneysaver

Secondary glazing is better than double glazing for noise reduction anyway.