Bought leasehold flat and major work not disclosed

Mokka

If I were you I would complain about the solicitor, especially if you specifically asked to find out about Major Works and she missed them. Going to the Ombudsman costs nothing and might get you some redress.

Your solicitor seems to say she was expecting you to have quite a high level of sophistication and knowledge- if you did you wouldn't need a solicitor. Conveyancing is not rocket science and there are people who take the DYI route. It is not usually recommended with leasehold flats, where the conveyancing process is more complicated, but having a solicitor clearly has not helped you.

My conveyancing solicitor was so abysmal that I wish I spent time and money on educating myself rather than rely on him.

Ultimately the fault lies with the HA, who knew about the planned works but failed to disclose them and I think the excuse they were 'planned' but not 'scheduled' is lame.

If the windows were installed without permission and now the HA claims they might be 'unsafe' check if they had FENSA certificate (or Building Control certification). Again, this is something that your solicitor should have checked- perhaps upon your request. You can apply to Building COntrol to certify your windows- this will cost though, check your local authority's website.

The bad news is that even if your windows are excluded from the Major Works bill you might still be charged for the share of the bill for all the windows on the estate- this depend on how the bills are apportioned.

Angie_B

Mokka wrote: »

If I were you I would complain about the solicitor, especially if you specifically asked to find out about Major Works and she missed them. Going to the Ombudsman costs nothing and might get you some redress.

How do you expect the solicitor to know about the Major Works if the HA has stated on the official Leasehold Info Pack that there are none planned?

Unfortunately for the OP, until the Section 20 is issued the Major Works are not confirmed. I am sorry to say, but major works are an unfortunate part of leasehold life and something anyone buying leasehold should be prepared for (whether currently planned or just a future possibility).

fashionvictim

I had to fill out a form TA7 when selling our leasehold flat. It has a questions on that surely mean the seller should of said yes to..

Does the seller know of any expense (e.g the cost of redecoration of the outside or communal areas not usually incurred annually) likely to be shown in the service charge accounts within the next three years? If yes please give details

Has the seller received any other notice about the building, it's use, condition or its repair or maintenance. If yes, please supply a copy.

I think to say No to these surely would be lying even if a proposal not 100% going ahead.

fashionvictim

I was also asked by by buyers solicitor if I knew of any proposals for major works. However not sure we asked this/ our solicitor asked this when we purchased the flat, but I agree you do rely on their expertise. Best of luck

davidmcn

fashionvictim wrote: »

I was also asked by by buyers solicitor if I knew of any proposals for major works. However not sure we asked this/ our solicitor asked this when we purchased the flat, but I agree you do rely on their expertise. Best of luck

Given the OP hasn't been here for four months I'm not sure they need our help any more.