smithpr
08-12-2009, 08:55 AM
Hi there, new to the forum and having problems with a fee my leaseholder wants to charge for consent for a garage conversion.
I own a detached house and pay a ground rent to the leaseholder of £115 per annum. The house has an integral garage which we want to convert into a room. There is 91 years left on the lease.
I approached the leaseholder who charged me a £40 fee initially to ask for the consent. They came back to me and pointed out that the lease had a covenant stating that the garage had to be used to house a motor car they would only grant consent if I paid them a "premium" of £655.
I challenged this and they basically said that the charges were fair and reasonable and unless I accepted their terms of conditions of the consent (which they wont issue to me) they wont accept payment. I believe this is because if I do accept their terms and conditions and make the payment - I cannot then go to tribunal to challenge the fee. They have also pointed out they don't have to grant consent.
Help - I feel the fee is extortionate.
I own a detached house and pay a ground rent to the leaseholder of £115 per annum. The house has an integral garage which we want to convert into a room. There is 91 years left on the lease.
I approached the leaseholder who charged me a £40 fee initially to ask for the consent. They came back to me and pointed out that the lease had a covenant stating that the garage had to be used to house a motor car they would only grant consent if I paid them a "premium" of £655.
I challenged this and they basically said that the charges were fair and reasonable and unless I accepted their terms of conditions of the consent (which they wont issue to me) they wont accept payment. I believe this is because if I do accept their terms and conditions and make the payment - I cannot then go to tribunal to challenge the fee. They have also pointed out they don't have to grant consent.
Help - I feel the fee is extortionate.