Garage in a block - repairs

Zeebs90

Hi all,

We are FTB buying a freehold house which has a garage in a nearby block. We have just had our homebuyers survey back which identifies that a new roof may be required on the garage block in the not so distant future (although we know a lot of what is said in the report is not as bad as it is made out to be). Just wondering that if a new roof was required, would we have to get agreement from everyone who owns a garage in the block to undertake repairs?

Thanks!

hazyjo

Is there a management company/freeholder for the garages? Is there a service charge/sinking fund? If nothing, yes, I guess you would have to see if people would chip in, save up or build a fund. tbh, depending on the size of the block, I'd say it's doubtful. Some will be thinking of moving, some will not use them... Best hope is for a service charge/fund.


We can only guess. Your solicitor will need to look into it further.




Jx

Dan-Dan

One of my brothers has this, there is no service charge or management co for the garages and when someones roof in the block needs doing they just attend to their own section

So the block looks a bit rough because some people dont care

Zeebs90

Thanks, the garage is in a block of 8. There has been no mention of management companies/service charge. I doubt we will use it much it was more just out of interest. I will query with our solicitor anyway but I guess we should just make sure we keep some money to one side. We are only planning on being in the house for a few years so hopefully it has more than enough life in it for now.

Seanymph

We have this on one of our houses.

You just look after your own garage - and re roof that if you want. Other people don't need to be involved at all.

Zeebs90

Ok thanks Good to know!

hazyjo

My ex used to pay a service charge for the garages with his flat (and we did on a new estate for 2 garages and their upkeep even though we had a FH house), so it does depend...


If it's quite a new house, it's prob more likely to have a service charge/insurance costs for the garages than something in a bog-standard block of garages behind '30s houses or like those near '60s/'70s style flats where they're all on one plot.


Jx

hazyjo

PS presume a flat roof so guessing at least 10-15 years old

Zeebs90

It's a 60s terraced house so reading the above i think its unlikely there is any sort of service charge. We are waiting for the draft contracts from our solicitor so hopefully this will clarify some things.