Leaseholder Help

MISSPD

About 5 yrs ago I bought an ex local authority leasehold flat in London. It was quite dated and needed a lot of work done to it so I applied for Consent to Alter. It was a lengthy and expensive process getting all the documentation and various surveys they required but I got there in the end and obtained a Licence to Alter which was granted for Full Refurbishment, Destruction of Internal cupboards, Re positioning of boiler, full electrical rewire and also a change of use for the kitchen to be turned into a bedroom and the existing bedsit to become and kitchen living area. A big job i understand which is why i was happy to go through the lengthy process. I have had a tenant living in the flat for the last year so when his tenancy ended i decided to start proceeding with the work. I notified the freeholder (council) as per the requirement and received confirmation.
About a week into it I received an email from a housing officer regarding a metal gate which i had installed on the landing following some breakings. She said this was a fire hazard asked me to take it down which i did immediately. In this same email she said she noticed i had major works going on and did i request permission. She also said i was in breach of my lease and copied a load of people on the email. Furthermore she indicated she didn't have an address on file for me and this was a breach of my lease as i need to tell them if I am not living at the property. I had already notified the relevant departments in the council and paid the fees and have written confirmation of all this. I then replied saying the gate was taken down and forwarded her all the relevant documentation for the licence, change of address and commencement of works. I was annoyed at this point but thought she is just doing her job fair enough the departments may not communicate effectively. Then on Monday i received a email from her with photos saying my workmen had blocked the shoot (which they had) and to unblock immediately which i arranged and about dust which i had cleaned and sent pictures to prove etc... This was mid working day. In the email she tells me to stop the work immediately as from my rubbish it looks like i am doing more work that i am permitted to under the licence (I dont even think she knows what it covers). None of the other departments which she included in the email and issued the licence have replied or contacted me. Im literally a nervous wreck I dont want to breach my lease. I have spent so much money already obtaining all the relevant paperwork etc and trying to do everything by the book. I am a young woman just trying to navigate my way through all this. Im at work today and I can't stop shaking from the worry. I am honestly only having the work carried out exactly as per the approved plans. I pay all my services charges ground rent religiously. All my electricians and gas men are certified and insured. She is a housing officer. Can she do this to me? If anyone has any advice i would be eternally grateful.

Freaked out local authority leaseholder

jaybeetoo

You’re likely to get more responses if you provide a short summary.

hazyjo

Can you break it up into paragraphs please for the ease of others?


Was the metal gate in common parts? Sounds very high risk to me too, so totally understand her POV.


What does your lease say re renting out your flat and informing the council? Do you mean you told them you were renting it out? Did your lender know (presuming you have a mortgage), and did you comply with all other LL responsibilities/duties (just in case this comes back to bite you on the backside)?


Do you mean they blocked the communal rubbish chute? Someone is obviously complaining about you which they have to follow up. Why was the chute blocked, surely if it's shared you would have kept that area clear?


Try not to worry - am sure it'll all get sorted out in the end. Like I said, it's probably someone complaining. Did you speak to or warn any immediate neighbours? Might be worth G_M's tea and cake option by way of an apology to the neighbours re all the noise, mess and inconvenience.

starving_artist

You should contact the leashold advisory service who will be able to advise you of your rights.

anselld

Don't panic! Councils have a habit of behaving officiously. Mine regularly send out letters threatening prosecution at the drop of a hat, in fact often when the hat hasn't even dropped.

You have the paperwork. Possibly you need to update your contact details. Everything should be OK. However you need to brief/supervise your builders to ensure they behave correctly.
Make sure they only do work specified in the license.
Make sure they clear up properly.
Make sure they dispose of waste correctly ( they should not be using residential waste facilities for trade waste).
Make sure they comply with other restrictions, working hours, noise, etc.