Non-maintenance of communal areas

[v2sbs]

I bought a flat in a converted house, now 3 flats in this block although development has 10 in total - 2 converted houses and 1 new block in the middle. I have never been charged ground rent but there is not a management company maintaining the communal areas. thankfully i have a tenant, but there are various things that need maintaining, like lights, carpets, decorating, etc. is the owner of the lease liable for these things? he won't give me an answer on who to contact about general maintenance. the worry of buildings insurance is also playing on my mind. Help!

[Matthew Moody]

Hi, who is the freeholder as generally they are responsible for maintaining the communal areas although if as you suggest, its sprung up other the years where houses have been converted, perhaps the freeholder hasn't thought of this and doesn't have a management company in place.

Matthew

[jeffrey]

I bought a flat in a converted house, now 3 flats in this block although development has 10 in total - 2 converted houses and 1 new block in the middle. I have never been charged ground rent but there is not a management company maintaining the communal areas. thankfully i have a tenant, but there are various things that need maintaining, like lights, carpets, decorating, etc. is the owner of the lease liable for these things? he won't give me an answer on who to contact about general maintenance. the worry of buildings insurance is also playing on my mind. Help!
YOU are the owner of the lease (lessee)! You need to read it, decide who is the lessor now [verify at HMLR], and enforce his/her/their/its covenants to maintain the areas mentioned and- even more important- to insure the whole building.

[v2sbs]

Hi, who is the freeholder as generally they are responsible for maintaining the communal areas although if as you suggest, its sprung up other the years where houses have been converted, perhaps the freeholder hasn't thought of this and doesn't have a management company in place.

Matthew

hello. I have contacted the freeholder who keeps saying he will get back to me. are communal areas and buildings insurance his responsibility?

[Rallysally]

Hi V2sbs.

As Jeffrey says above, this information is written in your lease – which you should have a copy of. This sets out your rights and responsibilities, and also lists the obligations of the landlord to you.

You need to understand who the landlord is before you start chasing them. You may have a good idea who this is, but as Jeffroy says, you could also verify it with the HMLR.

With regards to the building insurance – this is a serious matter that you need to investigate for your peace of mind. It is usual that organising adequate insurance for the building and communal areas is the responsibility of the landlord (but as above check your lease!).

You need to contact your landlord and ask them for a written summary of the current building insurance. They have a legal obligation to provide this information. I believe that they must comply with this request within 21 days of receiving it.

A great source of information can be found at www.lease-advice.org

If you still have problems then either write question on this forum (it is full of very knowledgeable and helpful people) or you can telephone Lease – again their phone number is on the website listed above.

Regards