Windows no deed of variation issues

Frenske

We have bought a flat 9 months ago. The council/landlord changed the windows in the whole block of flats into double glazing recently, except in our flat since the previous owner already had changed into double glazing. We had an expert appointed by the council to look at the windows and they were considered of high standard and not in need of changing.

From the wording in the sparse communication with the council it may appear that we still need to pay for changing the windows in the whole block since a deed of variation has not be given. Although we have a letter from the council to the previous owner granting permission to change the windows, I assume that the previous owner never bothered to get the deed of variation.

Now we may face a bill of £4000-£5000 for changing the windows in other flats.

Questions:
1. Is it worth to get a deed of variations retrospectively to avoid the £4-5K costs? Or is this too late.

2. If we don't get the deed of variations, is the council/landlord responsible for the existing glazing and thus need to replace the glass or any issues with it, are they responsible. Or is this not true any more since the glazing has been changed!?

hazyjo

Do you have a copy of the notice the Council first sent out (and probably gave the choice of getting your own windows done at a cost to yourself)?

If your vendors didn't pass it on, maybe another resident has a copy you could view? I'd check the wording on that first - start at the beginning.

Jx

Frenske

The seller did not seem to communicate with the landlord/council regarding the improvements. Possibly since she intended to move before the works were being done. Probably she would not have told us, if her solicitor did not foresee potential lawsuit.

The landlord/council was unaware of that there was already high quality double glazing in our flat until we contacted the council regarding the details of the works to be done.

So we don't have any documentation. I don't think we would have been given a choice, if we wanted double glazing or not.

Frenske

Anybody has an idea!?