UK Landlord Forum / Life

please help!

We bought our london flat last year - leasehold. rather stupidly we made some structural changes without gaining permission from the free holder. (long story)

We have had french doors put in at the back, facing onto the garden and blocked up the existing back door on the side of the flat.

Does anyone know how deep in the s**t we are? We would like to sell this summer and are rather worried. any ideas?
thanks!

The worst that could happen is that you will need to change it back to the way it originally was...

Did you get permission from the local planning authorities to make those structural changes? Is the freeholder aware of what you've done?

yes we have a building notice and has been signed off as acceptable. didn't require planning permission. no - freeholders not aware yet. trying to work out best way of going about it without bankrupting ourselves.....
thanks for replying!

Well, as I said, the worst case scenerio is that the freeholder forces you to revert back to the original state of the property.

However, the freeholder may just accept it...

Let us know what happens and how you approach the freeholder.

Good luck.

thanks
anyone else got any tips?
hopefully it'll be ok as we've increased the value of the property...
we could do without a whopping fine!

Just say sorry alot and it wasnt done for any other reason other than the old windows etc where falling apart and in need of change as they where dangerous.  Then, as my mother always said, just ask stupid.
Just another angle

yes definitely silly for not seeking permission. Better safe than sorry right?
Well since it's all done, i'm sure it looks better than it did before, yeh? Maybe they'll appreciate ur hard work and commend you for the change, if not just do what badgy said and appologise but don't act like you did something wrong. If they sense your insecurity on what changes u made they'll take advantage of that etc. etc. So yeh stay firm, appologise for n e inconvenience , explain u've added value to the place since it was looking shit before lol

reeeeeeeeeeeelax, don't think about the worst be positive and know YOU'RE IN CONTROL BUDDY!!!

Exactly. You've already removed one exit and created a great big whole into the garden ... just think what you could be capable of if the freeholder *really* upsets you.



In my very limited experience freeholders don't seem to care very much. It depends how many places they own, and whether they're an individual or a corporate type entity. Shall keep my fingers crossed for you.


V