My rights when buying an ex council flat

Southenders666

Am I entitled to fit a new kitchen in my flat. Also add more electricity points and an alarm system. We bought the flat and completed on Friday 28th Feb. We have been told that we need permission to change the kitchen or even put up new curtain rails. Surely this can't be the case......help!

thequant

Southenders666 wrote: »

Am I entitled to fit a new kitchen in my flat. Also add more electricity points and an alarm system. We bought the flat and completed on Friday 28th Feb. We have been told that we need permission to change the kitchen or even put up new curtain rails. Surely this can't be the case......help!

Sorry but that probably is the case, ultimately the council as freeholder still owns the property.


As a leaseholder you only have the right to live in that property for X years at a nominal ground rent.


Despite buying your flat, you are for all intents and purposes now a council tenant.

Soot2006

As purchase was very recent perhaps ask your solicitor to clarify the lease?

BobQ

The same applies to a private block of flats. The freeholder grants the flat purchaser a lease. The terms of the lease lay down what can and cannot be done to the flat and will in most cases require the freeholder's permission.

Whether in your case the council owns the freehold I do not know but it does not really matter, a private freeholder would require the same thing.

That said having to ask does not mean that permission will be refused. It might just require you to use a reputable installer/tradesman and/or have the work inspected by the freeholder afterwards. Try asking.

Edit. It works both ways though. Suppose the flat above was purchased and the leaseholder started knocking walls down and water started running down your walls? You would want some checks by the freeholder on any changes the person upstairs was making?

SunReader

Just do it, ideally get a test certificate from the spark who wires in your new kitchen ring main.

Even if you want to do it right and apply for permission, I'd be very surprised if the council were to object as long as you get the IEE test certificate - they will probably stipulate that anyway.

Council have no right of entry, utilities do.



disclaimer I'm a qualified spark and ex council tenant, not a lawyer.