Ex Local Authority flat - renovation

SWLondon86

Hi All,
I have recently purchased an ex local authority flat and I am carrying out some renovation work.
Before buying the flat I had asked broadly if there would be any issues with me doing work and got the below reply from the council:
The Council would not unreasonably withhold permission for works to be carried to the property
I was wondering if anyone knew if I require consent to move the flue for the boiler.
Currently the boiler sits halfway down a wall in the kitchen and I would like to raise it to give more counter space.
My builders are proposing to fill in the current flue and use the air vent/brick higher up the wall to create a new one. This was previously being used as an outlet for the extractor hood. (I have a picture which shows this more clearly but not sure how to upload)
Are there likely to be any objections to this?

Any advice appreciated!

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I would say that since your are piecing the outside fabric, which is not part of your lease, you will need landlords permission.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]You also need to be sure the new flue exit location meets all the regulations.[/FONT]

eddddy

SWLondon86 wrote: »

The Council would not unreasonably withhold permission for works to be carried to the property

That sounds like they are just stating the law (assuming your lease allows you to make alterations).

SWLondon86 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone knew if I require consent to move the flue for the boiler.

As Tom99 says, you probably do.

I've never been involved with a council freeholder, but I wonder if this would trigger lots of form filling, a visit from a surveyor etc - resulting in a large fee for you.

Have lots of others moved their flues in a similar way?

I suspect the only risk to not getting consent might be when you sell, if you get an over-zealous buyer who makes an issue of it.

(Assuming that the flue work is done by a gas-safe registered person, and is safely and sensibly located, meeting all the regs.)

SWLondon86

Thanks both. By some miracle I was able to get a same day response from the local authority approving the work!