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[Callan1]

You need a good solicitor to check over the lease and to obtain last 3 years accounts.

What is the general state of the building - a survey is beneficial.

Why is the vendor moving?

[Callan1]

Can you provide anymore detail eg is it the solicitors questionnaire forms that is proving the sticking point in the sale?

Do you have invoices/ evidence of the work carried out?

[Callan1]

Maybe advise the bailiffs of the new address if you are choosing to enforce the judgment.

[Callan1]

So presumably surveyors fees incurred in preparing the section 20 notices and/or preparing specification of works prior to RTM takeover could theoretically be passed on to leaseholders through the service charge.

But any costs incurred after RTM takeover date would be disallowed. Did i...

[Callan1]

Normally no fees for a flat owner to join their own RTM as a member - confirmed in the company articles. The articles will also state the process for a new member to join the RTM.

Regarding notices, is the sellers solicitor referring to Notice of assignment?

I understand this...

[Callan1]

Looking at the lease it looks as if the garage door would be the responsibility of the lessee anyway.

Politely point out that section of the lease to the resident and state that you’re unable to help.

[Callan1]

If the resident has damaged their garage door why should other lessees be responsible for the cost of repair?

[Callan1]

Thanks Lawcruncher. For me that would be 125 bottles of 1L Southern Comfort from Tesco!!

The freeholder holds all the cards where license to alter is concerned and the leasehold solicitors know it!...

[Callan1]

Hmm interesting reply ... i was speaking from my own personal experience of what i had to pay the freeholder's solicitors.

As for average conveyancing fees figure- it is just that - an average figure which does not take into account regional variations i would argue.

Yes there...

[Callan1]

Depends on the wording of the lease. What does your lease say?

[Callan1]

The lawyers fees are not excessively high but are above average I would say.

If you wish to extend you have no option but to pay the legal expenses of the freeholder, which is normally the case in these kind of situations.

I would advise you to have your own solicitor.
...

[Callan1]

Re ground rent, l/h's have a right to receive a ground rent demand before payment is due. The demand should tell you how to pay.

You appear to be talking on behalf of many lessees.

If the freeholder is not sending out ground rent demands as you claim, write a letter to the...

[Callan1]

It can be a balancing act - whether to claim or not on your insurance.

Might be worth just paying up assuming you're a member of the RTM...

[Callan1]

I would have thought the out-going managing agent would still be obligated to produce annual accounts which would tally with unspent client monies in an indirect way

[Callan1]

Water coming through an extractor fan - had that issue before.

How much water is coming through?

Is it perhaps extracted condensation not fully leaving the pipe due to too weak a extractor fan?

A more powerful extractor resolved the issue we had.

[Callan1]

Off hand I can only think of a flat having a very short lease that might affect a property’s value to such a degree.

I think a flat managed by rtm company might increase its saleability.

[Callan1]

Two of my neighbors sold their properties recently with 87 years left on their leases. One hadn’t extended and the new ownership are looking to extend in a couple of years.

The other neighbor had decided to extend their lease prior to marketing (cost:£10k )in order to make their property...

[Callan1]

I see the lease as you do - no restriction on subletting of the whole of the premises except for the last 7 years of the term.

Do any of your neighbors rent out their property?

[Callan1]

One would have thought a leaking roof and penetrating damp are issues which can be resolved.

The question i would ask is ask is who is managing the building and do they have good system in place to collect service charge ( incl annual budget perhaps for repairs) and to respond to annual...

[Callan1]

The rules will be in the contract you signed with your MA.

If you don't like those rules - you could possibly terminate the MA's contract and advise future MA that the RTM company will decide on who carries out any major external works in the future.

Such large quotes- were...