Damp structural issues in leasehold flat?

Damp structural issues in leasehold flat?

0:03 AM, 28th November 2023, About A year ago 23

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Hello, can anyone assist me with a damp issue relating to a flat I bought on leasehold last December? I realised there was a problem which I didn’t pick up on inspection, as the areas of the problem were obstructed.

I didn’t have a survey done as I was in the grieving process and felt I had to be on the move ASAP, I know there is no excuse I just wasn’t thinking right at that time.  I obviously did not bring this problem with me, and my solicitor was very unhelpful. He thought the property was freehold, my flat was built in the 1920s and there is a history of these damp structural issues in my street, at least 6 properties in the last 5 years have had remedial work, and also one person going through this procedure for the third time in the same house.

My adjoining neighbour had the structural issue repaired 5 years ago, but my freeholder said there is no interconnection between my flat and his although they were both built on the same base, can anyone assist me or point me in the right direction please? I was served with a section 20 notice last month, and I dispute his response to my concerns.

Any advice or assistance would be extremely grateful

Thank you,

Gordon

 


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gordon simpson

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14:10 PM, 29th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by david.... (not Goliath) at 29/11/2023 - 13:40
Thanks David,your input and advice is appreciated greatly.cheers.

Freda Blogs

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18:01 PM, 29th November 2023, About A year ago

Gordon, this is a very sorry situation and I suggest you get an independent survey from a Chartered Building Surveyor, someone with the relevant knowledge and experience who will be acting exclusively for you and you can trust, and who you can appoint to negotiate on your behalf if you wish, so that you are not taken advantage of.

You can find someone suitably qualified and local to your area on the RICS.org website.

Good luck.

gordon simpson

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20:35 PM, 29th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 29/11/2023 - 18:01
Thank you Freda,it appears to be the way forward,and something I will chase up on, I have had many setbacks relating to this flat,and as you so rightly call.....it is the way forward....thanks again.

gordon simpson

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20:49 PM, 29th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by david.... (not Goliath) at 29/11/2023 - 13:40
Yes David ....I intend to.thanks for your input.

gordon simpson

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20:52 PM, 29th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 29/11/2023 - 18:01
Hello again Freda,the nearest surveyors on the Ric.org
Is in Manchester,I live in Berwick-upon-Tweed on the England Scotland border on the A1,I was hoping for someone ,more Local...any more suggestions please.?

gordon simpson

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9:18 AM, 30th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by gordon simpson at 29/11/2023 - 20:52
Hi Freda,i didnt use the Rics page as i should have done ,i just took the first page information etc,but now i can use the page better and getting better info now,thanks again for that.

Freda Blogs

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12:59 PM, 30th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by gordon simpson at 30/11/2023 - 09:18
If you continue to have issues finding someone, please send me a private message and I'll take a look for you.

I am however a southerner! Fyi there's another chap on this forum, @Graham Bowcock, also a Chartered Surveyor, not necessarily the type you need but I believe he practices in the north, and may be able to recommend someone, so might be worth messaging him too.

gordon simpson

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13:12 PM, 30th November 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 30/11/2023 - 12:59
Thanks for your assistance,i do believe i have negotiated the web site more fully now....and your help has been much appreciated...thank you Freda.

Tim Peters

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9:24 AM, 2nd December 2023, About A year ago

There are a couple of things that don't make sense here

1. There is no such thing as a freehold flat and any solicitor would know that

2. Any structural damp issue is obviously related to the building (unless a lessee has caused it) so it's a freeholder issue to fix and recover the cost from lessees through the service charge using S20 if the cost for any of them would be over £250

gordon simpson

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9:49 AM, 2nd December 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Tim Peters at 02/12/2023 - 09:24
Hi Tim,when i was in negotiation of the conveyancing of this flat, my solicitor said that he didn't realise it was a leasehold property....he thought it was freehold .....and it would cost me more because leasehold properties required more work for him ....hence £100 plus was added to my conveyancing fee because of this.....and I understand now..... how a section 20 works.

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