Begging letter from Freeholdsers - what to do next

demented_weasel

Hello, looking for some advice about what to do about a begging letter received from the freeholders.

I own a leasehold property, and the freeholders want to charge me for having tenants. The ground rent is up to date.

Will I need to look at the leasehold contract, to confirm that they can do this? I have a copy of it, so know its not a double the ground rent type of thing.

Thanks for any advice

Conrad

Yes,if valid it will be in the lease you agreed to. I hate reading leases, never easy.

If they want more than a modest charge I'd considering selling it and investing in something more conducive, unless the service charge and ground rent are low enough to justify this letting charge.

I recently went through the hassle of selling two places that niggled me, in order to buy into better property. Sure a short term CGT hit, but well worth it in the round.

HPC_Ghuol_Hunter

Tell them to stick it in their pipe and smoke it.

PasturesNew

It can be common, so you will have to dig out your lease to see what it says.

Some are: owner occupiers only.
Some are: owner occupiers, except where you have got permission for tenants.
Some are: do what you like, nobody cares.... and if there's a problem and you wanted a quiet life but are living among a perpetually moving bunch of faceless tenant neighbours, then that's for you to deal with as it's allowed.

always_sunny

possibly best posted in the House Buying/Renting forum.
Read your lease and it will say whether or not you need consent to sublet.
It is not unheard of so it is totally possible. Some leases also do not allow it at all

If not on the lease, tell them no way.

silvercar

always_sunny wrote: »

possibly best posted in the House Buying/Renting forum.
Read your lease and it will say whether or not you need consent to sublet.
It is not unheard of so it is totally possible. Some leases also do not allow it at all

If not on the lease, tell them no way.

I agree, I will move it over.

Hopefully more wisdom will follow.

eddddy

Check your lease to see if it says you need consent from your freeholder to sublet.

If it does, the law says that the fee charged for giving consent must be 'reasonable'.

In 2012, a Tribunal ruled that a fee of £40 was reasonable for some specific cases. See: http://landschamber.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk//Aspx/view.aspx?id=823

So that's the kind of figure you should expect to pay, but it depends on individual circumstances.

Cheeky_Monkey

Hardly a 'begging' letter is it.

Sounds like they are simply enforcing a clause in your lease.

xylophone

a begging letter received from the freeholders.

Do you mean that they have rights under the lease and are seeking to enforce them?

LEJC

eddddy wrote: »

Check your lease to see if it says you need consent from your freeholder to sublet.

If it does, the law says that the fee charged for giving consent must be 'reasonable'.

In 2012, a Tribunal ruled that a fee of £40 was reasonable for some specific cases. See: http://landschamber.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk//Aspx/view.aspx?id=823

So that's the kind of figure you should expect to pay, but it depends on individual circumstances.

Going slightly off topic,but without moving too far away from the original query......

Would anyone know if this tribunal ruling follows through with the charges needing to be reasonable for other "giving consent" situations??

I am interested in relation to pet occupation and have been quoted £150 to obtain...

I didnt want to start another thread specifically regarding pet consent it's just I'm interested in what would be a reasonable admin charge.
When I say I am happy to pay for consent,I have read the lease and it does say charges apply...but it is only now that they have sent paperwork and a request for the fee that the amount has been disclosed.

OP it is not my intention to hijack your thread....hopefully someone will quickly reply and i'll be on my way......

scriv

Read your lease very carefully and if it's not in your lease that they can charge you for your tenants, then they are not entitled to demand the fees from you.

But this will not stop them trying!