Updating Leasehold Kitchen

Didymus

Hi all,

Just looking for some advice around whether the wording in our lease would likely let us replace an ageing kitchen, like for like, without seeking freeholder permission.

From the wording of the section of the lease shown below, I think it seems we’re ok, but thought I would ask others who likely have more experience when it comes to this sort of this! 

Thanks in advance!

user1977

Can't see why not - which part of that do you think might be a problem?

Didymus

user1977 said:

Can't see why not - which part of that do you think might be a problem?

It’s not that I think any particular part might be a problem, I’m just a pessimist and paranoid, and always like to check my own understanding so as not to be caught out! 

My understanding from the wording of that section of the lease is that we are expected to maintain, rebuild, renew etc. which suggests to me that we can renew the kitchen without issue. Just looking for confirmation that my understanding is correct. 

anselld

Correct.   And don't forget to renew your appurtenances!

TripleH

I think there would be more of an issue if you moved the kitchen to a different room.

With our leasehold flat we had to get permission from the freeholder to widen the doorway into the kitchen but were fine ripping out and replacing the kitchen itself.

user1977

Didymus said:

user1977 said:

Can't see why not - which part of that do you think might be a problem?

My understanding from the wording of that section of the lease is that we are expected to maintain, rebuild, renew etc. which suggests to me that we can renew the kitchen without issue. Just looking for confirmation that my understanding is correct. 

Yes, what you can't do is let it fall into disrepair. Or remove it completely. Though even then, I doubt the freeholder would actually care, unless it was causing problems to somebody else (e.g. your pipes were leaking).

It's different from some leases we've seen here which actually require you to seek consent for changes.

eddddy

user1977 said:

It's different from some leases we've seen here which actually require you to seek consent for changes.

If you mean alterations, I'm not sure that the clause quoted covers making alterations to the flat - it mentions "maintain rebuild repair redecorate and renew".

I suspect there's other clauses in the lease about alterations.

(The clause talks about 'additions' to the flat, but doesn't imply that additions can be done without consent.)