Ivy - Leasehold

Bee1111

I have recently purchased the leasehold of a ground floor flat e The freeholder saying is that I am responsible for removing the ivy that is covering the wall at the back of the property. I had understood that the external walls would be under the freeholders responsibility for structural but the agreement refers to walls being the tenants responsibility.  I know that I am required to pay 2/5 of the costs but I don't think it is my responsibility to arrange for it and to pay for. 
Any thoughts would be most welcome. Thank you 

AdrianC

So just cut the ivy at or near ground level and remove a short section of trunk completely.

Then wait for it to die back a bit, and give it a good pull. Job jobbed.

Then don't let it grow back up.

SameOldRoundabout

Killing it is easy as Adrian said. Then you can pull what you can remove from the wall once it’s dried, but to get it all off will require a blow torch and ladder or scaffold really. If they won’t share the cost just kill it and pull down what is in reach. 

eddddy

I would think keeping the ivy under control is an aspect of maintaining the garden, rather than maintaining the building.

Who is responsible for maintaining the garden - you, the freeholder or somebody else?

TBH, some people suggest that ivy can damage a building, so if you're responsible for the garden, it may be sensible for you to deal with the ivy. Otherwise, the freeholder might say that your negligent failure to maintain the garden has resulted in damage to the building - and claim the full cost of repairs from you.