Loft Conversion Consent holding up purchase

nomadicrebel

Hi all,

Have been in the process of buying a flat that I want to convert from a two bedroom to a three bedroom. All the paperwork is complete, I am holding out on the consent to convert the loft before I exchange. The freeholder is based in Turkey and after two months I have not got an answer on consent either way.

The lease states "The Lessor Hereby Demises unto the tenant all that maisonette with the front and rear staircase leading thereto being on the first floor of the building including the roof and roof timbers and one half part in depth of the structure between the floors of the maisonette and the ceilings of the lower maisonette from the same level".

In regards to conversion "Not to make any structural alterations or structural additions to the maisonette without previous consent in writing of the lessor".

The plan is to lose one of the bedrooms downstairs and create two additional bedrooms upstairs with a bathroom. I have already provided the drawings from my architect to the other parties solicitor.

My concern is that I exchange and the freeholder holds out for money or can slow the process up for whatever reason. By waiting to get consent, the pressure is on the seller as the property is vacant. My ultimate question is what can the freeholder obstruct the work on and can she ask for any money for this besides legal fees?

Thanks in advance!

brightontraveller

Its freeholder’s space they can ask for as much or little as they wish for it? In London many would ask 80 % of the increase in value… Its little difference between any development space land etc completing without finalising would be fool hardy…