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What's better: Ground or first flr flat?
Comments
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breadlinebetty wrote: »You could have share of freehold in a conversion, in which case you could keep pets on your own property.
Many flats (if not most) are leasehold, and I've never heard of anyone having issues with having cats or dogs. If you go for a ground floor maisonette it's almost like a house in some ways, what with the garden etc, so a cat is hardly going to be a problem!
In my 1st floor flat I had use of the garden (shared with the ground floor). First floor was much better. The living area was larger and much lighter and the lower flats suffered more from noise from above.0 -
breadlinebetty wrote: »You could have share of freehold in a conversion, in which case you could keep pets on your own property.
Many flats (if not most) are leasehold, and I've never heard of anyone having issues with having cats or dogs. If you go for a ground floor maisonette it's almost like a house in some ways, what with the garden etc, so a cat is hardly going to be a problem!
Share of freehold is still a leasehold property. If the long lease states no pets or no pets without permission you need the consent of the freeholder(s) or are breaching the lease. There have been many threads on here about restrictive covenants regarding pets in long leases, run a search. These covenants can be and are enforced, triggers include another resident who is allergic to the animal, one who takes umbrage at any noise, the presence of poop, associated insects or vermin, cats deciding to enter open windows.Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0 -
I would always choose a 1st floor flat or above. The main reason being that I can open the windows without worrying too much about intruders. We have bedroom windows open even in the winter.0
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breadlinebetty wrote: »Many flats (if not most) are leasehold, and I've never heard of anyone having issues with having cats or dogs. If you go for a ground floor maisonette it's almost like a house in some ways, what with the garden etc, so a cat is hardly going to be a problem!
Sorry, I beg to differ. I let a leasehold ground floor flat, where the headlease prohibits pets, and believe me it is quite a common clause. However much a pet owner loves and looks after their pet, there is always a chance of nuisance being caused to other residents in a block - noise, fleas, fouling, allergies, smells, dirt/hair in communal areas etc. The lease is there to protect the whole "community" living in the flats, so you must check whether pets are permitted.0 -
Lots of flats have pet restrictions, as said above. What you need to double and triple check is what the lease says. Don't ask the EA - he's very unlikely to have seen a copy of the lease and let's just say they have been known to... ahem... stretch the truth on occasion.
If you have cats that go outside, I'd definitely be looking for a ground floor flat. Would be a right pain having to let them in and out of the front door (down at least a flight of stairs) as you'd not exactly be able to leave it open.
Ground floor would be much better as you can leave a back door or window open for them - or at least just be able to open the window/door and call them every 5 mins (if they're anything like my cats who don't listen to a word if they're out having fun!).
Jx2024 wins: *must start comping again!*0 -
Sorry, I beg to differ. I let a leasehold ground floor flat, where the headlease prohibits pets, and believe me it is quite a common clause. However much a pet owner loves and looks after their pet, there is always a chance of nuisance being caused to other residents in a block - noise, fleas, fouling, allergies, smells, dirt/hair in communal areas etc. The lease is there to protect the whole "community" living in the flats, so you must check whether pets are permitted.
It is indeed, every flat I rented and then every flat I viewed when buying all had a no pets clause; the one I'm in now seems slightly more lenient in that it is only a definite 'no' if you share entrances with other flats. So in theory I would be more likely to be allowed a pet as I have patio doors to the garden directly from my property and don't depend on communal entrances.
It is definitely a bit of a minefield!0 -
Share of freehold is still a leasehold property. If the long lease states no pets or no pets without permission you need the consent of the freeholder(s) or are breaching the lease. There have been many threads on here about restrictive covenants regarding pets in long leases, run a search. These covenants can be and are enforced, triggers include another resident who is allergic to the animal, one who takes umbrage at any noise, the presence of poop, associated insects or vermin, cats deciding to enter open windows.
You are COMPLETELY wrong!
SHARE of FREEHOLD means exactly that - share of FREEHOLD. It is not leasehold.
If you buy a 'Share of Freehold' property you become freeholder - you're not a leaseholder.0 -
seashore22 wrote: »I would always choose a 1st floor flat or above. The main reason being that I can open the windows without worrying too much about intruders. We have bedroom windows open even in the winter.
If you're only one floor up that won't prevent many burglars determined to break in...believe you me. Especially at night while you're asleep.....0 -
breadlinebetty wrote: »You are COMPLETELY wrong!
SHARE of FREEHOLD means exactly that - share of FREEHOLD. It is not leasehold.
If you buy a 'Share of Freehold' property you become freeholder - you're not a leaseholder.
Even so, you still cannot decide to keep pets if the other freeholders do not agree! You have a share, you don't own the rights to do what you like!0 -
breadlinebetty wrote: »You are COMPLETELY wrong!
SHARE of FREEHOLD means exactly that - share of FREEHOLD. It is not leasehold.
If you buy a 'Share of Freehold' property you become freeholder - you're not a leaseholder.
You still have to abide by the lease as determined by the other freeholders.0
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