replacing windows on a flat. Plus other things

[Dupont666]

I have sash windows and im fully aware that if i want to put in double glazing then the rest of the flats would need doing, seeing as the other 2 are rented out i doubt that it will be done by the other 2 owners.

Can I get my sash windows replaced as double glazing sash and not have the issues of the needing the rest of the house done at the same time?

Also since its owned by a freehold company, can I get them to do it as technically its their bricks and mortar andthey should be replacing the slowly rotting wood? Or are they going to screw me over?

Whilst im at it how do I get them to clean up the communal area without them deciding to charge us a fortune for a re-carpet (last one is 15+ years old), a replaster (its bowing away from the wall and cracked) and a lick of paint.

Or should i just bend over now?

[Plotloss]

Yep you can get sealed units in sash frames, a mate of mine specialises in exactly this working mainly on mansion blocks in the centre of London.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

The freeholder pays for nothing. All work done will be paid for by the lessees.

[Dupont666]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

The freeholder pays for nothing. All work done will be paid for by the lessees.

What about the communal area?

Can we just do it and not tell them, or do we have to inform them?

Baring in mind that they havent been round to the property in 10+ years

Also whilst I think about it, they have done no maintance on the property whilst i have been there, yet they have claimed 3k a year off the owners of the flats, is it possible to use this money that has not been used by them on maintance or has it just gone in the pocket of the company and they will charge extra for the communal area to be done?

For example:

we pay 3k in maintance plus extras, communal area cost £500, they take it out of what has been paid or do we end up with another bill of £500 split 3 ways?

Edited by Dupont666 on Tuesday 28th April 16:38

[HiRich]

In my place, windows are yours, bricks & mortar are with the FMC. You are responsible for cleaning, maintenance, repair and replacement. It would be worth taking a look at the lease (wordy, but it is probably quite specific).

Sash windows might suggest you are in a conservation area, which would be a problem as you would need to replace like with like. Check your council website for info. You can get double glazing units for sash windows. However, these are (normally) wood framed, which our resident d-g people would frown upon. Yellow Pages or a local forum might give recommendations in your area.

For the communal area, you would do best to get the other owners on board first (email or letter). Their tenants may well be complaining as well. then write to the management company.

With just three flats, have you considered buying out the freehold? Whilst a cost up front, you will find it cheaper (and faster) arranging these things yourself. Cost & time for actual management is remarkably light, and the major cost is buildings insurance. If the other owners trust you to lead decisions, and if you are willing to do (or arrange) some work yourself (mowing the lawn, painting, sweeping up), you can cut a lot of the costs. And of course, you make the decisions on what needs doing when - you could be down the carpet shop choosing stuff right now.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Dupont666 said:

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

The freeholder pays for nothing. All work done will be paid for by the lessees.

What about the communal area?

Can we just do it and not tell them, or do we have to inform them?

Baring in mind that they havent been round to the property in 10+ years

Also whilst I think about it, they have done no maintance on the property whilst i have been there, yet they have claimed 3k a year off the owners of the flats, is it possible to use this money that has not been used by them on maintance or has it just gone in the pocket of the company and they will charge extra for the communal area to be done?

For example:

we pay 3k in maintance plus extras, communal area cost £500, they take it out of what has been paid or do we end up with another bill of £500 split 3 ways?

They can bill you for extra work. They have to keep accounts as to where the money is going. Is that £3k each a year or £3k in total? Some will be eaten up with insurance (assuming they're bothering) and alike. Ask lots of awkward questions. That's the only way.

[Dupont666]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

Dupont666 said:

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

The freeholder pays for nothing. All work done will be paid for by the lessees.

What about the communal area?

Can we just do it and not tell them, or do we have to inform them?

Baring in mind that they havent been round to the property in 10+ years

Also whilst I think about it, they have done no maintance on the property whilst i have been there, yet they have claimed 3k a year off the owners of the flats, is it possible to use this money that has not been used by them on maintance or has it just gone in the pocket of the company and they will charge extra for the communal area to be done?

For example:

we pay 3k in maintance plus extras, communal area cost £500, they take it out of what has been paid or do we end up with another bill of £500 split 3 ways?

They can bill you for extra work. They have to keep accounts as to where the money is going. Is that £3k each a year or £3k in total? Some will be eaten up with insurance (assuming they're bothering) and alike. Ask lots of awkward questions. That's the only way.

Thats the new scam.... the current insurance doesnt cover the cost of the building and now needs to go up a large amount due to this... I suspect that the recession is hitting them and they need to make more money.

[Dupont666]

HiRich said:

In my place, windows are yours, bricks & mortar are with the FMC. You are responsible for cleaning, maintenance, repair and replacement. It would be worth taking a look at the lease (wordy, but it is probably quite specific).

Sash windows might suggest you are in a conservation area, which would be a problem as you would need to replace like with like. Check your council website for info. You can get double glazing units for sash windows. However, these are (normally) wood framed, which our resident d-g people would frown upon. Yellow Pages or a local forum might give recommendations in your area.

For the communal area, you would do best to get the other owners on board first (email or letter). Their tenants may well be complaining as well. then write to the management company.

With just three flats, have you considered buying out the freehold? Whilst a cost up front, you will find it cheaper (and faster) arranging these things yourself. Cost & time for actual management is remarkably light, and the major cost is buildings insurance. If the other owners trust you to lead decisions, and if you are willing to do (or arrange) some work yourself (mowing the lawn, painting, sweeping up), you can cut a lot of the costs. And of course, you make the decisions on what needs doing when - you could be down the carpet shop choosing stuff right now.

How can i find out how much it will cost to take on a freehold?

Do I have to let them give a stupid figure? What if they dont want to sell? I have heard that you can take them to court to take it over, is that still possible?

Will it be cheaper to buy the freehold now that the crash has happened with the housing market?

[HiRich]

Don't know about freehold cost, as I walked into an existing company. Google is likely to help you for starters, and you are correct that there is a court or arbitration mechanism to set the price.

[Dupont666]

how would one find out what the possible valuation of the 3 flats are? Is there anyone that does the valuation and then we can go from there?

I would like to find out the costs involved before talking to the other owners rahter than getting in contact only to find out they are going to try and charge us 45k or something to buy it out.