We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Leaseholder building repair dispute
JohnnyJet
Posts: 297 Forumite
A friend of mine has been getting threatening letters from the company of the freeholder demanding that he pays for a repair bill up front before any work is carried out.
There are 3 other owners and I have told him to make contact with them to see what they feel and look at taking joint action.
The building has been neglected and has never had any significant work carried out on it even thought my friend has always paid the annual maintenance fee.
A recent survey mentioned that the repair is needed due to neglect. The company are asking for £20,000 from the 4 leaseholders to repair a bay window wall that is in danger of detaching itself from the rest of the house. This sounds grossly overpriced and it is only from 1 quote from a builder that I believe is connected to the freeholder.
I would be grateful if anyone has any advice they could offer. Can he get his own quotes? Does he have a right to be able to purchase the freehold?
There are 3 other owners and I have told him to make contact with them to see what they feel and look at taking joint action.
The building has been neglected and has never had any significant work carried out on it even thought my friend has always paid the annual maintenance fee.
A recent survey mentioned that the repair is needed due to neglect. The company are asking for £20,000 from the 4 leaseholders to repair a bay window wall that is in danger of detaching itself from the rest of the house. This sounds grossly overpriced and it is only from 1 quote from a builder that I believe is connected to the freeholder.
I would be grateful if anyone has any advice they could offer. Can he get his own quotes? Does he have a right to be able to purchase the freehold?
0
Comments
-
Hi there, I am no specialist on leasehold issues and I am sure you will get more direct answers. However, these are commons sorts of questions around leaseholds.
Your friend should visit, and quite possibly ring up, lease-advice.org.
This is a free government-funded advisory service designed to help leaseholder and freeholders understand how things work.
In particular, your friend needs to understand how freeholders need to consult on works and bill for them. They should also look into right to manage procedures.
Good luck.0 -
Contact the Leasehold Advisory Service - they are free and brilliant. Details are at http://www.lease-advice.org/contact/0
-
Read the lease!
It is usual for payment to be upfront. If the freeholder gets the work done, he has to pay the contractor. If the leaseholders then delay, or refuse to pay, the freeholder is left out of pocket.
But there are processes for consultation, and 1 quote is probably not permited. Read the lease-advice link above0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.4K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.6K Life & Family
- 259.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards