Making alterations on leasehold apartment?

Jlawson118

I know different rules vary by property management and I'm not taking the responses here as a definite answer and will refer to the right place. But I am just looking for guidance and possible outcomes? Or if anybody on here has done renovations with no real issues, or even with issues?

I am a homeowner and have owned and been living in my apartment for just over a year now. My boiler completely packed in on New Years Eve, which I've seen coming for a long time but it's resulted in me having to buy a new boiler, although I've had to have it moved due to the way my property is built and the position of the flue.

Now that my boiler has been moved, I've noticed that the boiler cupboard actually eats up into my kitchen space, which is relatively small to begin with. And looking at the structure it's just a plasterboard wall with no ceiling. Without the boiler, I have no real reason of needing that cupboard anymore and would be put to better use extending my kitchen.

Though my property management aren't the greatest in communication, so trying to get permission would be difficult. But I do overall own the flat, with a remaining leasehold of around 970 years. Am I within my rights to make these alterations to my own home? As far as I understand, I own the flat but not the external building, which my planed reservations wouldn't affect anything externally. Though I know overall I need to look into my contract.

Has anybody else done similar things like this with/without issues?

G_M

None of us here can read your lease. What does it say?

gwynlas

As your boiler and flue have already been moved I would present this to the freeholder vis management company as a fait accompli, because technicallyy you should have sought consent.
i.e.Write to inform them of this change and include the information that you are repurposing the redundant boiler cupboard unless they object. Keep copies on file for purposes of future sale.

-taff

Yes. I knocked down three walls that formed a separate kitchen and built a wall to make a bedroom in my old flat because neither were structural walls. Structures, yes, structural walls, no. I didn't inform the management company because, a] the lease said structural walls were not to be tampered with and b] I was named as a director of the management company and was aware that other owners had done similar things and didn't need permission.

davidmcn

-taff wrote: »

the lease said structural walls were not to be tampered with

What else does the Lease say about alterations?

G_M

-taff wrote: »

.... I didn't inform the management company because, a] the lease said structural walls were not to be tampered with
Fine. But not helpful unless read along with the rest of the lease

and b] I was named as a director of the management company

Oh dear! Don't you just hate those internalmanagement companies dominated by individuals or cliques who assume they can just do what they want......

and was aware that other owners had done similar things and didn't need permission.

None of which helps the OP who
a) is not a director of the management company

b) has a different lease with different wording
c) is in a building with an external management company as opposed to a residents' managed one

-taff

The lease said nothing about alterations that weren't structural. The rules and regs hadn't changed since the building was built.

The OP asked has anyone done anything like this without issues. And the answer was yes.
And the only reason I was a director was that I was one of the few owner occupiers who actually went to meetings.....Where I met the rest of the management company [ all bar another 2] who were more than happy to pass on what could and couldn't be done according to the lease.

When I sold the flat the buyers solicitor wanted me to get indemnity insurance for the alterations, but luckily, as the lease said structural walls were not to be interfered with and I hadn't interefered with them, that wasn't necessary.
I didn't post to big myself up, I posted my experience. Depends on exactly what the lease says regarding structural alterations and alterations. I don't have a crystal ball so can't help there.

Jlawson118

The exact wording I’ve just found in my agreement is;

“Not to make any alterations or additions to the apartment, nor to cut or remove the walls or timbers or any structural parts of the building nor to make any other alterations which affect the external appearance of the building.”

This is the only clause I’ve found with regards to any potential works on my behalf. But I’m not sure if it means I do not have permission to knock down any walls, or just structural ones

G_M

Seems very unambiguous.

You cannot "make any alterations or additions to the apartment".
Nor can you "cut or remove the walls or timbers".
Nor "cut or remove any structural parts of the building".
Nor "make any other alterations which affect the external appearance of the building".