Lease Question

[Bahco]

My cousin has bought a ground floor flat which is leasehold and has approx 70 years left to run.

He would like to change his windows and has asked the leasehold company for permission.
They wish to charge him £120 to consider his proposal with no guarantee that they will grant permission.


Does he have to ask for their permission anyway as he has bought the property and new windows will add value.

I have never heard of having to ask for permission to change windows anyway but thought I would ask on here.

Does he need permission?

 

[Hysteresis]

He needs to check his Leasehold agreement, there may be a restrictive covenant in place with it.
I have a freehold property, but I still have a restrictive covenant with it where I have to ask the original landowners permission for any building alterations even to the extent of boundary walls/fencing. The covenant is such that their permission is a legal requirement that I cannot get out of even though I own the land.

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

The £120 ‘to consider’ does appear ludicrous. That said, the restrictive covenant regarding the windows usually exists in all leases and for pretty good reason. Obviously the freeholder/landlord does want individual leaseholders putting in windows that might be of different style to those being replaced or inconsistent with the style of windows in the other flats – it would make the building unsightly.

It is also usually the case that the windows are the specific liability of the individual leaseholder so when the next building works are carried out the costs of repairing a window (necessary if it is in poor shape) or simply painting the window will have to be met by the leaseholder.

What sort of style window is installed currently and what type is your cousin proposing to replace them with?

 

[Bahco]

What sort of style window is installed currently and what type is your cousin proposing to replace them with?

I will ask him later.

Thanks for replies

 

[noseall]

Ask your cuz to engage a few local DG companies to come around and quote. He could then drop the hint that although the price sounds good, those rotten lease holders are holding back for the sake of £120 which he can not stump up at the mo'.

Any chance Everest...? Worth a pop.

 

[Bahco]

He is changing on a like for like basis but in UVPC instead of existing wood.

I can't see how they will know if its been changed anyway!

 

[joe-90]

That's a major change and not allowed. PVC is complete and utter sh*t and should be banned.

 

[Bahco]

That's a major change and not allowed. PVC is complete and utter sh*t and should be banned.

Hi Joe

You don't like UPVC windows I take it?

Why is it a major change too ?

 

[Diane2]

http://www.lease-advice.org/

try this

 

[joe-90]

That's a major change and not allowed. PVC is complete and utter sh*t and should be banned.

Hi Joe

You don't like UPVC windows I take it?

Why is it a major change too ?

Do English Heritage use them?

 

[Dextraneous]

That's a major change and not allowed. PVC is complete and utter sh*t and should be banned.

Hi Joe

You don't like UPVC windows I take it?

Why is it a major change too ?

Do English Heritage use them?

Did cavemen use bricks and mortar?

 

[joe-90]

Did cavemen live in blocks of flats? Are you on the turps?

 

[Dextraneous]

Did Victorians insulate houses with Kingspan?

Life and building processes evolve, Joe.

 

[taz123]

Did cavemen live in blocks of flats? Are you on the turps?

What has a flock of bats got to do with it?.................hic.

 

[Dextraneous]

Did cavemen live in blocks of flats? Are you on the turps?

What has a flock of bats got to do with it?.................hic.

Joe's one of those backward purists. If his ilk ruled the world, we would still be in caves.