Freeholder 'powers'?

Dingledoodie

I inherited the flat I currently live in when my mam died in 1994. When she and my dad bought the property in 1956 you had to by the flats in pairs. When that rule changed, my mam sold the upper flat in 1983.

In about 2004, the then owner of upstairs made some large alterations to the front and back of the property. Changes I HATED.

I recently found out that I'm the Freeholder, when my postman tried to sue ME for slipping on the other property's front steps. Enclosed with the letter from his solicitor was a copy of the lease stating me as the Freeholder. I had no clue what that even meant but see that, back in 2004, he should've asked my permission to make those alterations and didn't. Frustrating.

So, now, I have awful upstairs neighbours, I mean just awful. They're renting from the owner. I've already complained about them to her via the letting agents. They said they've had a word with them after each complaint I make but nothing changes. They're noisy at unsociable hours, constantly arguing and fighting, dogs barking throughout the night. I'm wondering if I have any 'power' to do something about the situation as the Freeholder?

anselld

Start by reading the lease for the upstairs flat which will explain what the Leaseholder (upstairs) can and cannot do and what the Freeholder (you) can/should do.

G_M

Dingledoodie wrote: »

..... I'm wondering if I have any 'power' to do something about the situation as the Freeholder?

I can't read the lease in question from here.

Does it say anything about not causing a nuisance to other leaseholders or neighbours, for example?

what is the exact wording?

Note: I am not talking about the tenants' Tenancy Agreement/lease, I am talking about the flat-owner's lease to which you are the other party - the freeholder.

EachPenny

G_M wrote: »

Does it say anything about not causing a nuisance to other leaseholders or neighbours, for example?

...or even not to keep pets, or for the bonus prize - to occupy the property themselves and not to let it out?

patman99

The lease you as the freeholder are in control of, is the very weapon you can attempt to use to get the unauthorised alterations put back to their original state. However, you can only deal with this if the lease makes it clear that no alterations can be made without the freeholders consent.

Spend time reading it and making notes of anything you find that you either find useful or do not fully understand.

eddddy

If you're the freeholder of the property, probably your first priority is to check the leases to see what your responsibilities are.

For example, you may be responsible for insuring the building.

If you have no freeholder buildings insurance and the building burns down, not only will you lose your flat, but the neighbour would probably sue you for the full value of their flat.