Permission required?

Gemm83

My sister is in the process of buying a leasehold flat. Whilst not ideal she can currently live with the electrics the way they are but future plans are for a rewire. I said she would probably need to get permission from the freeholder to do this kind of work and to check her lease when she gets it. She's now got the lease and whilst everything else eg pets etc states "With written consent from the lessor" the upkeep, repair, replacement of such things encluding cables/wires etc is "to the satisfaction of the lessor"

She will of course ask her solicitor for clarification but she's away on leave for a week and a bit so I thought I would post in here.

Would "to the satisfaction of the lessor" mean to you that you must ask for permission or you can do tye work but must have it signed off/complete the works to a satisfactory level that the lessor would be happy with?

She would of course be using a qualified electrician.
Thankyou 

Doozergirl

It does not mean that she needs to ask
for permission.  

Permission is usually just for structural changes and windows - things that affect the structure as a whole. You can renovate the inside, no problem. 

user1977

Gemm83 said:

the upkeep, repair, replacement of such things encluding cables/wires etc is "to the satisfaction of the lessor"

That's not specifically referring to renewal, it means all those things must constantly be kept in good repair (to the freeholder's satisfaction). No particular need to ask for consent when works are done, just to fix things when the freeholder demands.

Gemm83

Shes just spoken to the freeholder and they have advised that it IS something that would require permission and that she would have to pay for surveys to be completed! 

user1977

Gemm83 said:

Shes just spoken to the freeholder and they have advised that it IS something that would require permission and that she would have to pay for surveys to be completed! 

It only requires permission if the Lease says it does - they can't just unilaterally decide something needs permission. Asking freeholders what they think the lease means isn't generally a good idea!

Doozergirl

user1977 said:

Gemm83 said:

Shes just spoken to the freeholder and they have advised that it IS something that would require permission and that she would have to pay for surveys to be completed! 

It only requires permission if the Lease says it does - they can't just unilaterally decide something needs permission. Asking freeholders what they think the lease means isn't generally a good idea!

I totally agree! 

Gemm83

It's 4a)..... Doesn't say anything about written consent but then in the next part:

It says prior consent is needed for alter/cut walls.... And she would want the cable/wiring in the walls 🤦‍♀️

UnderOffer

Are they not referring to the outer walls, ie the building itself not the internal room division walls? 

canaldumidi

user1977 said:

Gemm83 said:

Shes just spoken to the freeholder and they have advised that it IS something that would require permission and that she would have to pay for surveys to be completed! 

It only requires permission if the Lease says it does - they can't just unilaterally decide something needs permission. Asking freeholders what they think the lease means isn't generally a good idea!

In the same way that it's a bad idea to ring your insurer to ask "I've had XYZ damaged and just want to check if it's covered, and what the excess is, in case I decide to claim." Result is a record of a 'claimable event' even if you end up not claiming. Result? Higher premium next year.....

In both cases, determine for yourself whether permission is required or the insurance would cover you.

Gemm83

UnderOffer said:

Are they not referring to the outer walls, ie the building itself not the internal room division walls? 

Ahhh. Would make sense considering the chat about fences and aerials I suppose 🤦‍♀️

macman

Is the CU located within the leasehold property, or in a common area? In many conversions, it's the latter, which means you'll be rewiring out into the freeholder's domain. In a purpose built flat, the CU is usually within the flat.