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health at risk from outside of leasehold property
loulou123
Posts: 1,183 Forumite
1st of all sorry if this in wrong part of forum...
I live in a leasehold mortgaged flat, in a converted house (there is 3 other flats.) The two downstairs flats have a glass roof section over both porches (i live in one of them.)
The glass roof is being held up by a supporting wooden structure, this has been damaged for some time and we have made the freeholder (we are the leaseholders for 1 of the 4 flats.) and the managing agents aware of this many times over the last 2 years.
They have continually told us they are in the process of sorting it out, but have done nothing other then get quotes.
The wooden structure is rotten and due to the flash floods we had the other night is now bowing, the glass panels (each one a good 15foot x 15foot are now slipping and the whole thing is going to come down its just a matter of time.
As the glass has slipped we are also now getting water leak into our kitchen.
My main concern is that the glass is covering the only entrance to my flat, so I have to stand under it to get in and out. Im terrified its going to fall on me/husband/cat/postman etc.
The managing company (who we pay yearly maintenance too) came around yesterday, after we called them to complain as our kitchen flooded, but said they will get it repaired as soon as possible (same old story.) A builder friend has just been around to look at it and confirmed its dangerous.
I feel like I'm risking my life (not an exaggeration as if the wood gives 4 huge glass panels and the wood is going to fall directly on me!) everytime I enter or exit my property.
Anyone any idea where I go from here as freeholder and managing agent don't seem to see any hurry.
I live in a leasehold mortgaged flat, in a converted house (there is 3 other flats.) The two downstairs flats have a glass roof section over both porches (i live in one of them.)
The glass roof is being held up by a supporting wooden structure, this has been damaged for some time and we have made the freeholder (we are the leaseholders for 1 of the 4 flats.) and the managing agents aware of this many times over the last 2 years.
They have continually told us they are in the process of sorting it out, but have done nothing other then get quotes.
The wooden structure is rotten and due to the flash floods we had the other night is now bowing, the glass panels (each one a good 15foot x 15foot are now slipping and the whole thing is going to come down its just a matter of time.
As the glass has slipped we are also now getting water leak into our kitchen.
My main concern is that the glass is covering the only entrance to my flat, so I have to stand under it to get in and out. Im terrified its going to fall on me/husband/cat/postman etc.
The managing company (who we pay yearly maintenance too) came around yesterday, after we called them to complain as our kitchen flooded, but said they will get it repaired as soon as possible (same old story.) A builder friend has just been around to look at it and confirmed its dangerous.
I feel like I'm risking my life (not an exaggeration as if the wood gives 4 huge glass panels and the wood is going to fall directly on me!) everytime I enter or exit my property.
Anyone any idea where I go from here as freeholder and managing agent don't seem to see any hurry.
0
Comments
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Give it the failing timber a small and discrete helping hand (obviously from a distance) then make the call again saying "told you it would all come down - now please come and sort it out". Simples
CheersThe difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein0 -
Give it the failing timber a small and discrete helping hand (obviously from a distance) then make the call again saying "told you it would all come down - now please come and sort it out". Simples
Cheers
Do not follow the above advice.
If you are absolutely sure that this structure is the responsibility of the freeholder and not the leaseholder(s) then they must be persuaded to take immediate action.
If the condition is as bad as you say then emergency measures need to be taken to make the structure safe.
As it is an ongoing problem that should have been addressed at least 2 years ago I suggest you contact the Environmental Health Office at your council.
Extract from this site:
If your freeholder refuses to carry out repairs s/he is responsible for, s/he is breaking the conditions of your lease. Get professional advice if you are in this situation. You may be able to take her/him to court to force her/him to do
the work. The court may also be able to order her/him to pay you compensation.
If the problems make it dangerous to live in your home or your health could suffer if you stay there, the council's environmental health department may also be able to help. In serious situations like these, environmental health can
order the freeholder to do the work.
If your freeholder still doesn't get the work done, you may be able to carry out the work yourself and claim the money back from the freeholder. You will probably end up paying for a share of the work through service charges
The management company need to instruct their insurers (or other appropriate party) to make the structure safe. Insist that they do.
In the meantime, if you haven't done so already, I suggest you put prominent warning notices outside your property to alert others of the potential danger.0 -
You may also like to consider the value and service the management company is providing. Have a read of this as it may be an alternative option for you and the other leaseholders.0
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein0
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