Want to remove wall in leasehold flat but have absent freeholder?

Littlefox

Hi!

I want to remove a stud partition wall in my flat. It's a 1900s leasehold terrace conversion, I have the ground floor and only 1 flat above. It's a very small wall into the kitchen, I want to have it as an open plan room into the hallway which will create more space and functionality as it's a very small kitchen

I've heard that I need to speak to the freeholder, however the freeholder is absent- I don't pay any service charge etc I need to organise my own buildings insurance, and when buying the flat I had to take out some indemnity insurances.

In this circumstance what do I do if I can't contact the freeholder? Can I just go ahead with the work.

Thanks for any help!

Hoploz

You would go ahead without the freeholder's permission. Then when you sell you buy an indemnity policy to cover a breach of the terms of the lease.

It's only a stud wall so probably not load bearing but it's best to check with building control to see if you need to follow regs and get a certificate for the work. Info on this can be found on PlanningPortal.gov.uk