Share of freehold uncoperative neigbour

Yasmin02

Hello

I am currently living in a leasehold flat but buying the share of the freehold. THe upstaris flat is rented out and we are now in a situation where we have a problem with the guttering at the back of the property. It is dripping down onto our flat and it is split in a few places. The agents seem to be doing nothing about it. I have not threated to switch off the water to the upstairs flat (becaseu i control the water). According to the agetns the landlady is a difficult person to get on with so what can i do if she does not adhere to the terms est out in the lease?

Thanks in advance

Yasmin

clutton_2

you do not know that anyone else is difficult until you have had a conversation with them. dont assume because she was difficult with the agents that she will be difficult with you. getting the rain goods repaired is in everybodys best interests. starting off a conversation with "I'm gonna cut off your water" will definitely not get you the result you want.

why not write her a nice little notelet to start with ?

Yasmin02

Hello

But I do not have her address or telephone number as the agent would not give it to me. I know but its the only way I can get them to listern. This has been dragging on for a week now they contacted the landlady on Monday and she was supposed to call me so I rang today again and they are either not passing on the message or she is jjust been awkward. I thought of the letter but if I have no where to send it to what am i supposed to do? I know its not the best footing to start off with but i am worried that the water will start to turn into damp as it keeps on dripping. Does anyone know of an good guttering.roofers in Ilford?

Thanks very much

Yasmin

silvercar

Guttering collects rainwater, turning off the water won't stop the rain!

olly300

Yasmin you still have a freeholder. Contact them in writing and ask them to sort it out or to give you the other leaseholder's contact details. (Ask for both so they can't wiggle out of it and send letter by recorded delivery/fax.)

Also you could try asking the tenants as well.

Also be aware that agents are s!!!s. They don't like passing messages on or doing any work once they have got tenants in. So you need to get the other leaseholder's details asap as you will have to sort out things like buildings insurance with them.

Yasmin02

Hello

I have the landladys number upstairs but the freeholder told me I can't contact her as she is been sold a share of the freehold and will not be to best pleased but i am think i am going to give her a call tommorow as I do not thik the the agents are passing on messages. Its just dripping and I think that is it he guttering but its dripping from two places so i think it probably is rain water. I just do not know what to do for the best. What happens if the lady upstairs does not abide by the terms of the lease then what happens...?

Thanks very much

Yasmin

cattie

What do you mean if the landlady doesn't abide by the terms of the lease? Does the lease specify that maintenance is split 50/50 between both leaseholders?

If so then it is generally the agent who you will contact about the work needed doing & they either contact the freeholder on your behalf or arrange for the work to be done & bill both you leaseholders for the cost.

Yasmin02

Hello

Sorry what i meant was the lady upstairs who rents out the property. She is the other leaseholder when i talked to the Estate Agent who manges the property as it is rented they have told me they do not deal with this they only deal with the internal maitnenace of the property as such.

They have siad that they have left a number of messages on the person who owns the leaeehold upstairs but apprantly she is a difficult lady. I was wondering what would happen if she does not abide by her terms of the lease i.e i have to pay for it all. Yes it does state in the lease that everything is 50/50.

Yasmin

nollag2006

Yasmin - this might be one to talk to your local Citizens Advice Bureau about.

My heart goes out to you. Sounds like a horrid situation

clutton_2

yes you will have to pay for the repair if she wont - then sort out afterwards how you can get her to contribute. It may just need the guttering cleaning out - it could be full of leaves - which is not a hugely expensive job

charley1965

Personally, I would get it repaired myself and get a receipt for the work done. I would then pursue the owner of upstairs for half of the bill through the managing agent.

Surely your freeholder must have upstairs contact details if she's offered her the right of first refusal on share of the freehold?

Just read message 6. Of course you can contact the owner of upstairs. Why would she not be best pleased, that does not make any sense at all? I would just ring and ask her. Good luck.