freeholder

[Deleted User]

OP seems to be intentionally vague about sizes.

My shed probably takes up 1/50th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden could easily be the size of a shipping container or even bigger.
More details would add some perspective.

loubel

It will depend on exactly what the lease says. If the lease says no sheds over a certain size without consent then you can request consent - and likely pay a fee for this. If it just says no sheds over a certain size then technically the freeholder doesn't have leeway to grant consent and likewise they can't agree to vary your lease so that it is subject to different covenants to the others. This is because it they will have (most likely) given their own covenant to impose and enforce the same covenants on everyone. If it is another leaseholder who has complained about your sheds being too big then the freeholder is now obliged to do something about it. Sometimes a lease will state that the freeholder can alter regulations at their discretion. You need to read your lease to find out what you agreed to.

Hoenir

Has a neighbour reported you for running a business from the property? 

[Deleted User]

scorpiontongue said:

[Deleted User] said:

OP seems to be intentionally vague about sizes.

My shed probably takes up 1/50th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden could easily be the size of a shipping container or even bigger.
More details would add some perspective.

Correct. Given the nature of the situation I am not willing to give specifics away however as I had previously said, collectively the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden at the most.

I say 1/6th at most as I’d rather overcompensate the size of them as although they are bigger than what the lease states it is only by a few feet each way, not a considerable amount. I understand this is still outside of what is stated in the lease which is why my question is now whether a deed of variation will resolve this.

Good lord, no wonder the freeholder is interested. It must also raise an eyebrow with other residents and neighbours.
'Only a few feet each way' is not an insignificant area, that alone is bigger than most people's sheds.
I'm amazed you've got away with it for so long, not to mention the planning issues that others have mentioned.

I would get prepared to reduce or remove the structures.
It's optimistic to think that a deed of variation will placate whoever has concerns...

Albermarle

A typical shed size is 6' X 8' although you can get smaller and bigger.
10X8 is also popular as a larger size but not excessively big.

bobster2

scorpiontongue said:

[Deleted User] said:

OP seems to be intentionally vague about sizes.

My shed probably takes up 1/50th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden could easily be the size of a shipping container or even bigger.
More details would add some perspective.

Correct. Given the nature of the situation I am not willing to give specifics away however as I had previously said, collectively the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden at the most.

I say 1/6th at most as I’d rather overcompensate the size of them as although they are bigger than what the lease states it is only by a few feet each way, not a considerable amount. I understand this is still outside of what is stated in the lease which is why my question is now whether a deed of variation will resolve this.

In a previous post you said "the garden is a great size" and now that the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden = very large sheds.

I know you don't want to give specifics - but if we could see a photo this might give some clue as to why neighbour / freeholder is bothered.

jimbog

scorpiontongue said:

Hoenir said:

Has a neighbour reported you for running a business from the property? 

Not that I’m aware of however the freeholder did not disclose any information to me other than the fact there had been a report. 

Are you running a business from the property as you've said they're not used for storage?

You say they are not significantly bigger than what is permitted, is it possible for a builder or carpenter to reduce their size?

bobster2

scorpiontongue said:

bobster2 said:

scorpiontongue said:

[Deleted User] said:

OP seems to be intentionally vague about sizes.

My shed probably takes up 1/50th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden could easily be the size of a shipping container or even bigger.
More details would add some perspective.

Correct. Given the nature of the situation I am not willing to give specifics away however as I had previously said, collectively the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden at the most.

I say 1/6th at most as I’d rather overcompensate the size of them as although they are bigger than what the lease states it is only by a few feet each way, not a considerable amount. I understand this is still outside of what is stated in the lease which is why my question is now whether a deed of variation will resolve this.

In a previous post you said "the garden is a great size" and now that the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden = very large sheds.

I know you don't want to give specifics - but if we could see a photo this might give some clue as to why neighbour / freeholder is bothered.

Totally understand what you’re saying however I would not be willing to share an image of the sheds/my garden. The garden is very large, for a flat. This is not aimed at yourself but other’s comments have questioned the size I stated, common sense would be to remember it is only a flat and my comments are relative to that.

Yes - of course. Understand why you wouldn't want to share photos of your garden. What about photos you might be able to find online of similar sheds? E.g. from a manufacturer's site?
My suspicion is - there's something about these sheds that has wound someone up. Without any details - and any measurements - it's not going to be possible for people to understand the problem.

user1977

Swingers' club. Must be.

Section62

bobster2 said:

scorpiontongue said:

bobster2 said:

scorpiontongue said:

[Deleted User] said:

OP seems to be intentionally vague about sizes.

My shed probably takes up 1/50th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden could easily be the size of a shipping container or even bigger.
More details would add some perspective.

Correct. Given the nature of the situation I am not willing to give specifics away however as I had previously said, collectively the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden at the most.

I say 1/6th at most as I’d rather overcompensate the size of them as although they are bigger than what the lease states it is only by a few feet each way, not a considerable amount. I understand this is still outside of what is stated in the lease which is why my question is now whether a deed of variation will resolve this.

In a previous post you said "the garden is a great size" and now that the sheds take up 1/6th of the garden.

1/6th of a large garden = very large sheds.

I know you don't want to give specifics - but if we could see a photo this might give some clue as to why neighbour / freeholder is bothered.

Totally understand what you’re saying however I would not be willing to share an image of the sheds/my garden. The garden is very large, for a flat. This is not aimed at yourself but other’s comments have questioned the size I stated, common sense would be to remember it is only a flat and my comments are relative to that.

Yes - of course. Understand why you wouldn't want to share photos of your garden. What about photos you might be able to find online of similar sheds? E.g. from a manufacturer's site?
My suspicion is - there's something about these sheds that has wound someone up. Without any details - and any measurements - it's not going to be possible for people to understand the problem.

I don't really see the point of getting lots of details about the OP's sheds, or even similar ones.  The freeholder says they are in breach of the lease. That is all (except possibly the planning angle) that matters.

I can understand the OP's possible frustration at not knowing who/how they were reported, but nobody on this forum (unless they happen to be the neighbour who did the reporting) will be able to put the OP's mind at rest - any answers we come up with will just be guesses.  E.g. it may be the OP has painted their sheds purple and one of the neigbours hates purple, but that doesn't make any difference now the freeholder is aware of the sheds and says they are too big.  If the OP (wisely) doesn't want to share details which are likely to be irrelevant then that should be the end of it.