Costs pre purchasing lease property

Robsluk

Hi,

This is my first post however I cannot find any help elsewhere on my issue.

I recently bought a leasehold home in july and although works were carried out in 2014 due to the cardholder being Redbridge they have only just invoiced for the cost of the works . My solicitor did not hold a retention for this as it was not clear it was for previous works or ongoing as Redbridge do all works in area then invoice.

Is there anything I can do to pass the bill back to the previous owners as it is circa 2k for works I cannot even see have been done to my property.

I do not want to go down the solicitor messed up route unless have to. However I have emailed him a week ago for comments which I have not us replies to as from research I can see a retention possibly should have been held back from the sale

Thank You in advance

eddddy

If the seller said anything misleading in any pre-contract enquiries, then you can make a claim for damages.

As an example, the TA7 leasehold information form normally has a question:

Does the seller know of any expenses (e.g. the cost of redecoration of 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

So if the seller gave a misleading answer to that question (e.g. said "No"), you might be able to make a claim against them.


If the seller said "Yes", but your solicitor failed to notice, you might have a claim against your solicitor.

davidmcn

What did your contract say about such costs?

Robsluk

It said due next to major works but not an amount which is why I think it was missed , but when I asked the vendor directly what they for he said they recent and as not invoiced they mine to pay, first time buyer as I am I took his word but since been told otherwise but as this was not through solicitors I'm presuming that conversation irrelevant ?

marksoton

Robsluk wrote: »

It said due next to major works but not an amount which is why I think it was missed ,?

Then you should have got exactly what and the cost clarified.

Robsluk

That's what I feared , ill just pay it I guess , lessons learned for next time, thank you for all your help

AdrianC

You can always ask...
If they don't say yes, then your only recourse is court - and whether you win depends entirely on the paperwork.

Robsluk

I really don't like the idea of legal proceedings for the amount , I will chase down my solicitor Monday with the comments about the ta7 etc but I think in the mean time I will pay the freeholder the money so as to prevent any problems . Just a shame had to learn hardway