Extension to a Leashold Property, anyone do it?
Discussion
At the moment I own a masionette which is the top half of a detached property. The leashold has 960 odd years still to go and the freeholder is absent.
Apart from this can you extend a leasehold property?
To the side of the property is a double garage, the garage nearest to the main property is the ground floor flat and the other one is mine. The grage is inline with the front elevation of the property and I was thinking about extending between the main house and the adjacent garage.
There is only a approx 1200mm wide access way between the two building to my half of the garden. The only problem would be taking the space above the garage in the eves of the garage roof that the downstairs flat occupy, although the leasehold doesn't go into this amount of detail. I would probably be looking to add two bedrooms with an ensuite.
Any thoughts? Obviously a set of plan drawings would help anyone wanting to comment.
Apart from this can you extend a leasehold property?
To the side of the property is a double garage, the garage nearest to the main property is the ground floor flat and the other one is mine. The grage is inline with the front elevation of the property and I was thinking about extending between the main house and the adjacent garage.
There is only a approx 1200mm wide access way between the two building to my half of the garden. The only problem would be taking the space above the garage in the eves of the garage roof that the downstairs flat occupy, although the leasehold doesn't go into this amount of detail. I would probably be looking to add two bedrooms with an ensuite.
Any thoughts? Obviously a set of plan drawings would help anyone wanting to comment.
Beardy10 said:
I think you need the Freeholders permission I could be wrong ? Sounds like a very strange situation. Planning normally requires that you have the permission of any other residents of the building.
I will speak to the lady down stairs, I am sure that she will not be the problem!So you're not paying (or getting ground rent demands)?
As a leaseholder you don't have title absolute, the freeholder does. If you carry out the works and they re-appear they could ask you to re-instate (dependant on the terms of the lease), or hold you to ransom to give a Licence to Alter. After you've spend £££ on the extension you're probably going to want to pay even if it is highway robbery.
If you want to continue down this path get a solicitor to read your lease and advise on what you can and can't do. Then make all efforts to get in touch with the freeholder.
If the place isn't big enough you might want to consider moving, buy a freehold and then you can do what you want in the future.
As a leaseholder you don't have title absolute, the freeholder does. If you carry out the works and they re-appear they could ask you to re-instate (dependant on the terms of the lease), or hold you to ransom to give a Licence to Alter. After you've spend £££ on the extension you're probably going to want to pay even if it is highway robbery.
If you want to continue down this path get a solicitor to read your lease and advise on what you can and can't do. Then make all efforts to get in touch with the freeholder.
If the place isn't big enough you might want to consider moving, buy a freehold and then you can do what you want in the future.
Noel said:
So you're not paying (or getting ground rent demands)?
As a leaseholder you don't have title absolute, the freeholder does. If you carry out the works and they re-appear they could ask you to re-instate (dependant on the terms of the lease), or hold you to ransom to give a Licence to Alter. After you've spend £££ on the extension you're probably going to want to pay even if it is highway robbery.
If you want to continue down this path get a solicitor to read your lease and advise on what you can and can't do. Then make all efforts to get in touch with the freeholder.
If the place isn't big enough you might want to consider moving, buy a freehold and then you can do what you want in the future.
No we are not paying ground rent, but as it is £6 a year I don't think this matters to much.As a leaseholder you don't have title absolute, the freeholder does. If you carry out the works and they re-appear they could ask you to re-instate (dependant on the terms of the lease), or hold you to ransom to give a Licence to Alter. After you've spend £££ on the extension you're probably going to want to pay even if it is highway robbery.
If you want to continue down this path get a solicitor to read your lease and advise on what you can and can't do. Then make all efforts to get in touch with the freeholder.
If the place isn't big enough you might want to consider moving, buy a freehold and then you can do what you want in the future.
We made considerable effort to find the freeholder and it has come to nothing, so we have an indemnity in place. I also cover the buildings insurance for my property with the lady down stairs covering the bottom half of the building.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff