Block Flat Repairs

tilamok

Hi all,
I bought a flat last May in a block(leasehold with share). I live on the 2nd of the 3 floors.

Today I have been sent a letter from the managing agents that I should pay nearly £7,000 for roof repairs and tree trimmings and I need to pay by the end of February/08 else I'll incur extra charges. These expenses were approved by the board last year, in November, I think.

I just don't understand how they expect people to just get £7,000 as if it's pocket change. I am already paying management fees of 110 per month.

When I came to view the property before buying, there were other repairs being carried out and I was kindda fooled into believing that repairs don't happen that often and it was already paid for for the next 3-4 years.

This flat buying investment seems like an absolute disaster and I am thinking of putting the flat back onto the market.

PasturesNew

Putting it back on the market isn't really an option.
Apart from the fact the market has slowed, the market for flats is faring least well.
Add to that the fact that any potential buyer will spot the roof costs and run... fast.

What you can do is find out how they came to their figures. There is a process by which you can challenge the sums, somebody will be here soon to tell you how to do that. It probably involves you getting some quotes yourself.

You will probably also get some advice here in a moment on how you and the other residents can take over the management of the block, which is a route you might wish to go down.

Good luck!

martinman3

If this expenditure was approved last Nov and the money must be paid by Feb 08 then the work really must be urgent :eek:

You don't say how many flats are on each floor but I would talk to the owners/tenants of the flats above about why the work is needed so urgently and I would be thankful that you are living on the second floor.:rolleyes:

You mention that you have a share of the freehold so managing it yourselves would be as easy as "the board" cancelling the contract with the managing agents, but I don't think that would help much unless the agents are adding a large %age to the costs for managing the work. If this is a modern block with a flat roof which has not been inspected regularly then it would be expensive.

If the quotes were obtained after you bought the flat and as the work would cost more than £250 to any leaseholder then there should have been a period of consultation. This would need to explain the reason for the work, provide multiple quotes, allow you to nominate companies to provide alternate quotes etc. The RMC could proceed without this in an emergency but they have to apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal for an order to dispense with the consultation procedure. The LVT then notifies the leaseholders. Failure to follow this procedure means that you can only be forced to pay the statutory limit of £250.

see http://www.lease-advice.org.uk/scgrframe.htm

Your RMC must follow the procedure and owning the freehold itself does not let it off the hook.
I imagine you would not be very popular though if you only paid £250 because the procedure had not been followed.:D

p.s. Tree trimming is sometimes covered under the insurance policy.

speedtwin

I thought block management companys were supposed to plan well ahead. So if they do an annual inpection and the roof is going to need some work in a couple of years or so and is going to be expensive the service charges are raised to build up the kitty.

I know this wouldnt cover if it was a emergency.

TBeckett100

we have a bill coming for 5k for roof repairs and we have found a buyer. thankfully the man buying knows about it and will pay for it, bar £1,000 cash i am giving them to assist.
i will never buy leasehold again.

Porky996T

Tilamok,

If you can give some details about the roof and it size I can look into the costs - I own a building company.

Is the roof slate? Is it flat covered with bitumen? How big is it (length and width) Is it one roof or is it two or more. Is the flat in a terrace row, or is it built in its own grounds? Is is a conversion of a large property or designed as flats? How old is it?? What exactly is happening to the roof (is it just replacement of the roof covering, or is the roof structure being replaced too??)

Whilst pricing is not an exact science it should give you a steer if you can provide me with some info.