Letting

I own a leasehold flat and have just received a massive repair bill from the landlord. What can I do?

I own a leasehold flat and have just received a massive repair bill from the landlord. What can I do?

Depends – the landlord is entitled to charge you for work that has been done as long as the lease permits and certain statutory procedures are followed. For work that will cost any individual leaseholder more than £250.00 the landlord must carry out a formal consultation procedure, giving details of the proposed works and inviting everyone who is expected to contribute to the works to take part in the consultation procedure – have the opportunity to ask questions, and nominate a contractor, for at least 30 days – landlord must then supply the lessees with details of the proposed work and at least two cost estimates – if a contractor has been nominated then the landlord must try and include an estimate from that contractor – must also answer any initial queries from the leaseholders – must have a further 30 day consultation period where leaseholders can raise further queries – landlord has to take note of the comments of the leaseholders, but does not have to act according to them – if he ignores any comments then he may have to show that it was a reasonable decision if the matter goes to a tribunal.

 

Can challenge the costs at a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal  - can also challenge if the procedure has not been followed – if it has not been then the landlord may only be able to recover a maximum of £250.00 per lessee for the work done

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