Freeholder permission for Virgin media

feats

I have owned a flat in a large block for nearly 2 years and my tenants have Virgin media TV (it was already in the flat when they moved in). I have received a threatening letter from the managing agents on behalf of the freeholder saying that I am in breach of my lease due to 'unauthorised connection of Virgin media' and need to contact the freeholder's solicitor to rectify the issue.

I immediately phoned the solicitors but they were unavailable and have not returned my call in 3 days. I then phoned the managing agent who suggested that I wrote to the freeholder but they just referred me to the solicitors. I asked the managing agents to intervene on my behalf but they said they were 'unable to comment further' and just forwarded my email to the solicitor.

My questions are many
1. Having read the lease I think it allows for wiring but needs permission for aerials so there should not be an issue but without being able to speak to anyone I don't know what the breach is so what do I do?
2. The letter states that the breach is 'ongoing' but I have not received any previous letters so presumably the installation was carried out by the previous owner. On checking my conveyancing documents the managing agent confirmed that there were no ongoing disputes with the freeholder so do they have some responsibility?
3. More importantly how do I resolve the issue if no-one will talk to me?
Thanks in advance

economic

welcome to the world of leasehold property, where you will probably encouter lots of these types of problems. it looks like the freeholder is just trying to extort money from you. get used to this!

eddddy

feats wrote: »

My questions are many
1. Having read the lease I think it allows for wiring but needs permission for aerials so there should not be an issue but without being able to speak to anyone I don't know what the breach is so what do I do?

Write to the freeholder asking them which covenant in the lease they believe you have breached.

If you think there are terms in the lease which specifically allow the lessee to install the wiring, mention these as well.

feats wrote: »

2. The letter states that the breach is 'ongoing' but I have not received any previous letters so presumably the installation was carried out by the previous owner.

'Ongoing' means the wiring is still there... you haven't removed it. (It's nothing to do with previous letters etc.)

feats wrote: »

On checking my conveyancing documents the managing agent confirmed that there were no ongoing disputes with the freeholder so do they have some responsibility?

I guess the managing agent would say that they didn't know about the breach (i.e. the wiring) at that time.

feats wrote: »

3. More importantly how do I resolve the issue if no-one will talk to me?
Thanks in advance

Start by writing a letter, as above.