Have I done the right thing and/or annoyed the Estate Agent

BelfastFTB

Hello! You absolutely should feel well within your rights to speak up when you think an EA isn't acting in your interest. And let's face it, in reality, they rarely do if, with all due respect, they see an FTB they think they can lead a merry dance with.

Be assertive, like the other posters here have suggested, and make sure you make the right decision for you and your husband. I'm an FTB as well (going through a very long conveyancing process) and wish I had asked around for advice more, got opinions on local EAs, solicitors etc. from friends and family. Good luck!

Elinore

I would mainly worried re the old owner living there and still seeing the house as theirs (well they do have the freehold) and making demands.

'oh i noticed your windows sills needed repainting' 'the washer machine makes my ceiling vibrate could you not was before 10 or after 1700' 'I noticed the hedge at the front is getting a little unkempt could you sort that'

Given that the lease is so restrictive it would lead me to think this type of thinking was the case.

barbiedoll

You're being far too sensitive about this. Buying a property is a business transaction, and you need to treat it as such. You mustn't worry about upsetting the EA or the vendor if you think a property is not for you, nor should you feel that you have to explain yourself.

As Elinore commented, having the freeholder living on the premises can be a nightmare. She may well be a lovely lady, who will treat you like her own children, keep an eye on the place when you're away and bake you cakes on your birthday. Or....she could be a nosy old bat who lets herself in when you're on holiday (to check that you have cleaned properly!) and who moans if you so much as sing along to the radio when you're doing the ironing.

But...no matter what the reason, if you have serious doubts, then the flat is not for you. And if you plan on having pets at a later date then a house is much more suitable than a flat, for both cats and dogs.

Most people will probably agree that freehold is better than leasehold and house is better than flat (in most cases) and if you are worried about space, a house is much easier to extend than a flat with no loft space. Keep the EA on side, but don't feel that you have to view or purchase an unsuitable property just to keep him happy!

melanzana

Freehold all the way is the only way.

I know that is not an option for everyone, but where it is, go for it.

AdrianC

Small_Yeti wrote: »

However, next we established that there was an issue with one of the bedrooms. A large area of floor is unusable, which they had put in a cupboard. I appreciate why they did this and fair enough but it limits what we could do with the room.

Did you not see this when viewing?
The lease - well, that's your solicitor doing the job you're paying him for.

Have I done the right thing by emailing the agent and expressing doubts?

Absolutely! You can withdraw at any time before exchange of contracts.

Hoploz

You've done the right thing. You have cited specific reasons and that is nice and clear. The EA can't think any less of you - it's not the same as someone just being flaky and changing their mind on some whim.

Normally I wouldn't worry too much about a restrictive lease as nobody would usually enforce these bits and bobs. But if the freeholder is downstairs I agree she could hear everything and potentially be in your face the whole time. Maybe not, but there is a chance. Even if she was upstairs it'd be better - sound travels downwards but rarely upwards in flats!

View the freehold house. Definitely it's a better option if you can get freehold.

But I don't see the point in viewing the flat again. There is nothing you are going to see which will put your mind at rest about the issues which concern you. Just pull out and chalk this one up to experience.

zagubov

This isn't going to work now. You'd be happier somewhere else either with a freehold or fewer restrictions. Move on.

Bonfire_Bride

I would write this property off now, rather than wait until after the weekend. If you are having doubts now, then I guarantee you will start resenting the decision soon after you have moved in. I am also very aware of "hurting peoples feelings" but have toughened up a little in this house buying process.

bouicca21

Some of those clauses are never going to be enforced - I am supposed to whitewash the interior of my flat regularly, but who whitewashes walls any more?

If the flat is wrong for you, then walk. At least you now know that for future properties you have to look at the lease early on.

AnotherJoe

The thing I'm surprised about is why you are even thinking of viewing this again. How will viewing it make any difference to all these ludicrous conditions?
And imagine trying to sell it were you foolish enough to buy !

No one who wasn't desperate would buy a place with conditions like this, it's not as if it's an absentee leaseholder, it's someone who quite likely would enforce the conditions.

I feel sorry for the sucker that bought this before you. Lace your trainers up and run like the wind.

p.s. The "right thing" you did was to actually read and understand the lease. Most posts here would consist of some one bemoaning all these conditions after they bought. So, take advantage of the fact you did the right thing, realise you dodged a bullet and move on. To continue the analogy, buying this flat now would be like seeing the red laser sight on you and staying still.