Freeholder's obligation to respond

anewbuyer

I've just purchased my first property, a leasehold flat. I am aware that my lease states that I need to request any additions to the freeholder.

I need to add fitted wardrobes urgently to the property so I wrote him a letter two weeks ago but he has failed to respond, the letter was tracked and signed, so I know he collected it himself personally.

I would like to know if the freeholder has the obligation by law to respond to these requests and what to do/how to approach him to make sure he acknowledges the receipt of these requests and advice how long it will take him to respond. Any advice on this will be welcome, I am new in all this.

Soot2006

Surely a fitted wardrobe is non-structural and can be removed again, so no business of the freeholder? Does your lease define the "additions" ?

anewbuyer

Hi Soot2006, thanks, my lease does say "additions to the building". By seeking legal advice online, I was advised to get permission from the freeholder as it doesn't specify "structural additions to the building". In any case, I also requested changing doors and windows, which is less urgent to me so I wonder what are my choices if the freehold fails to respond.

Apodemus

Soot2006 said:

Surely a fitted wardrobe is non-structural and can be removed again, so no business of the freeholder? Does your lease define the "additions" ?

Lol, it's funny how we can all read things differently - I would have said that by definition of being "fitted", the intention is to attach something to the structure,which is presumably the sort of scenario that the freeholder seeks to review before giving consent.

OP, hopefully someone can give you a proper legal answer! 

TELLIT01

I would agree with Soot2006's interpretation, but that doesn't mean I'm right.  If nothing is being done to the structure of the building beyond screwing the wardrobe to the wall I wouldn't consider it an addition to the property.

anewbuyer

Thanks, Tellit01, I think I may just have to have a chat with the leasehold advisory service to see what they say.

stragglebod

Your freeholder could not give a monkeys about you adding fitted wardrobes. And the leashold advisory service is busy advising people with actual leasehold issues to waste time on this.

Ectophile

You do realise that if they do ever reply, then will probably include a bill for the time spent considering the request?

Your mistake was in asking.  Unless you plan on knocking down walls, or anything equally drastic, they don't need to know.

DevilDamo

What is the difference between your proposed fitted wardrobe and a normal wardrobe? Will you be having a bracket or frame fixed back to the wall? Tbh and irrespective of the type of wardrobe, neither would require any form of approvals. I interpret the “additions to the building” as stuff being fixed externally, e.g. a sky dish or if you’re on the ground floor, an extension, canopy, etc...

another_casualty

I think changing windows would raise a few eyebrows , and  you would need permission for that . As for fitted wardrobes , they could possibly be smashed up by the people you may sell it to in the future should they not want fitted wardrobes when they move in . I stand to be corrected of course . 

Various managing agents and freeholders have different rules  regarding payments , service charges and how to contact  . Maybe in the future should you have any questions , you may be able to email them .  Probably admin @ so and so etc..
just a thought 

greatcrested

Don't waste either the freeholder's or leaseadvice's time on this.

Just fit the wardrobes.