Owning your own home

The firm has excellent reviews online its just the lack of response is worrying. Maybe im impacient (i am)

What did you expect for a freehold-fucking-flat?

A working management co. that sorts that shit out for them?

Are they confusing the word 'responsible' with 'responsible for paying for' or do they genuinely have to get up on a ladder and DIY it because there's nothing else in place?

Is yours genuinely some kind of weird freehold flat, or is it share of freehold and each flat is granted a lease?

Whats the hurry? have you given notice at your current place? if not just relax (go on Facebook or something), it will happen in the meantime you'd have another paycheque in your bank account to spend on stuff when you move.

Place looks great btw. You need a track bike now.

I think having a partner more impatient than me isn't helping, but yeah the only time factor is that we'd like to be able to use the terrace before next summer!

there is no need amey, you can hire! and i can safely cycle down on the bike with real brakes

Is yours genuinely some kind of weird freehold flat, or is it share of freehold and each flat is granted a lease?

I own the freehold of the whole building (detached house split into 2 converted flats), there's a lease on the upstairs flat. We split maintenance and buildings insurance 50/50 as per their lease.

The firm has excellent reviews online its just the lack of response is worrying. Maybe im impacient (i am)

You don't need to talk to them that much. You just need to know that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing, which at this point is asking the seller's freeholder for the lease, making sure the seller actually has the title etc. It kinda just happens in the background.

I'm sure you know already, but make sure you request that they talk you through the lease and highlight and explain anything that's curious.

I own the freehold of the whole building

So how did the word 'freehold' get in to their heads?

"Their solicitor has informed them that they will be responsible for the maintenance of the exterior of the property (which is normal when being the freeholder) and they have told me that they don't have time for those kinds of responsibilities”

There's only 1 lease, on the upstairs flat, so by buying my flat they would also be become the freeholders of the building. Maybe I'll just setup a lease on my flat...

You may be being a bit "London".

When I first bought I used some random Solicitor (no idea how/why) from somewhere in the provinces and they were cheap as chips but pretty slow and not great on emails. I wasn't too fussed as I am a pretty cool laid back kinda guy but my wife had a minor women meltdown and drafted a furious email explaining why this level of service was unacceptable.

I told her to pump the brakes and give them a couple more days, the next day after weeks of non comm we received an email, and let me paraphrase...

"All sorted, its been great doing business with you, because it was so little hassle and you are so nice we have knocked a few hundred quid off, enjoy your new flat".

So yeah, maybe it'll be coooooool.

LOLs. I have heard of them, never seen one in the wild.

Hmmm in fairness that's very different to buying a 'normal' flat. Is it the EA cocking up and failing to mention that the freehold for the building came with the flat?

I've heard that a 'freehold' flat is almost impossible to mortgage. Could be wrong.

LOLs. I have heard of them, never seen one in the wild.

Yeah I did wonder how they came in to existence. It's usually because share of freeholders CBA to grant themselves leases leading to comedy further down the line.

To be honest its a bit over my head... I actually have share of freehold and am director of company that employees incompetent jokers to mismanage the whole block for us.

On a brighter note... my flats on the market next week, anyone fancy a 2 bed in E3 over looking a park?

I've heard that a 'freehold' flat is almost impossible to mortgage. Could be wrong.

Currently with Nationwide - It's fine (with them) as long as there are less than 5 properties within the block.

Is it the EA cocking up and failing to mention that the freehold for the building came with the flat?

It's mentioned that the sale includes Freehold to the entire building. Maybe I should get them to make it clearer?
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53871195.html

It's usually because share of freeholders CBA to grant themselves leases leading to comedy further down the line.

Haha, yep, well we would have done if Nationwide hadn't accepted the property in it's current tenure setup.

Modern house wont flog my place.

Cunce.

This should be forum post of the year 2018

sounds about right.

Gna sit back and relax.

I think a lease for each flat is pretty much standard, even if you are also the freeholder.

In this case, set up a lease with extortionate service charges, sell them the leasehold, keep the freehold, $$$s

My partner also is keen on the idea of chase chase chase. Although things are ticking along fine so I've managed to limit her to one "update" phone call so far.

That said I wouldn't feel guilty if you have a clear goal for your phone call/email,

We had a similar experience, despite our original solicitor resigning halfway through the process everything resolved itself in the end.

It's mentioned that the sale includes Freehold to the entire building. Maybe I should get them to make it clearer?

Yeah I mean it's marketed as a Flat, not Flat + freehold of block and all that comes with it.

As above offer them a lease and set up a Co. and charge for service. Does the existing lease on the flat above have prevision for service charges?

Mortgage advisor... why let them chose your Solicitor?

Our logic was that they would be familiar with each other's processes and have a commission-based interest in helping us move things along if they lagged. He also highly recommended the solicitor.

So all in all seemed a logical choice.

It was the worst thing we ever did. They were fucking horrendous start to finish.

Only ever go with a recommendation from someone you know well and trust.

My 2p, get straight onto the solicitor now and tell them you are unhappy and if this is an indication of the work you want your £60 back and you'll find someone else.

Then go with a personal recommendation. A fiver says it'll only get worse.

The 70’s really took their toll on Walthamstow too...

True

Who did you go with the end?

Currels, as Foxtons wanted 2.5% and Modern House think my flats a shithole.