I am the owner/landlord of a substantial Goergian estate with many acres of land and woodland that has been owned by my family for many decades.
The house itsself was converted to 4 flats in the 70s by my late uncle, a necessity following the demise of the family business. I grew up in the house and have always known it as home. I now live in the ground floor flat, and the other 3 flats were on long leases of 75 years, that were all extended in 2004 to 999 year leases.
I had, what now transpires to be, very poor advice in 2004 when as part of the lease extension process, I gave permission for the leaseholder of one of the flats (Mr F) to convert his flat into 2 separate flats. I did not charge a fee of any kind, but a agreed with the leaseholder that he pay all my legal costs and also restore a dilapidated orangery in the rear gardens that had not been used for over 10 years; this was used to convince the other neighbours it was a positive improvment, and the noise and mess of builders would be worthwhile in the end.
The orangery was beautiful restored, and is now enjoyed by all residents. I was very happy with the arrangement until now.
Mrs W, a leaseholder on the top floor, and who was my nanny as a child and a long standing family friend, sadly passed away in february this year. The wife of Mr F bought the flat, rennovated it, and they have just moved into it. Mr F has tenants in both the smaller flats he owns.
The sutiatuoin now despite the fact the estate has been in my family for over 130 years, he thinks he can control the estate and has turned very nasty. He is threatening to take over the estate and says him and his wife collectively can out vote me on any matter, as they have 3 votes to my 1 (my ground flor flat is the largest, and including the annex and office, larger than their 3 flats put together). The other leaseholder, a young chap on the first floor works abroad a lot and has said he doesnt want to get involved.
I had some free advice from a charity called Lease Advistory Service who say they are eligble and appear to have the requsitite majority to collectively take the freehold form me! They have recommened I instruct a solicitor immediately, but I am unemployed and have very only a very modest income - and despite the size of the estate I have limited means.
I can't stand to be bullied by this man in my ancesteral home.
The house itsself was converted to 4 flats in the 70s by my late uncle, a necessity following the demise of the family business. I grew up in the house and have always known it as home. I now live in the ground floor flat, and the other 3 flats were on long leases of 75 years, that were all extended in 2004 to 999 year leases.
I had, what now transpires to be, very poor advice in 2004 when as part of the lease extension process, I gave permission for the leaseholder of one of the flats (Mr F) to convert his flat into 2 separate flats. I did not charge a fee of any kind, but a agreed with the leaseholder that he pay all my legal costs and also restore a dilapidated orangery in the rear gardens that had not been used for over 10 years; this was used to convince the other neighbours it was a positive improvment, and the noise and mess of builders would be worthwhile in the end.
The orangery was beautiful restored, and is now enjoyed by all residents. I was very happy with the arrangement until now.
Mrs W, a leaseholder on the top floor, and who was my nanny as a child and a long standing family friend, sadly passed away in february this year. The wife of Mr F bought the flat, rennovated it, and they have just moved into it. Mr F has tenants in both the smaller flats he owns.
The sutiatuoin now despite the fact the estate has been in my family for over 130 years, he thinks he can control the estate and has turned very nasty. He is threatening to take over the estate and says him and his wife collectively can out vote me on any matter, as they have 3 votes to my 1 (my ground flor flat is the largest, and including the annex and office, larger than their 3 flats put together). The other leaseholder, a young chap on the first floor works abroad a lot and has said he doesnt want to get involved.
I had some free advice from a charity called Lease Advistory Service who say they are eligble and appear to have the requsitite majority to collectively take the freehold form me! They have recommened I instruct a solicitor immediately, but I am unemployed and have very only a very modest income - and despite the size of the estate I have limited means.
I can't stand to be bullied by this man in my ancesteral home.
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