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[suzylou]

So we just got a letter in the post saying that the freeholders on our block of flats want to double the height of it and add four more flats...oh, and take away the garden to use as parking spaces

Comments

[mooism]

Do you own a share in the garden?

[suzylou]

I certainly own one of the garages they are trying to demolish!

[mooism]

But yeah, this sucks.

[vardebedian]

Surest solution is to band together with all the other leaseholders and force the current freeholders to sell you (collective you) the freehold. I'm not a lawyer, and you should talk to one, but some law was passed a few years back allowing leaseholders to force the freeholders to hand it over irrespective. It'll cost, mind.

[suzylou]

*nods* we also need to find out who the other leaseholders are, I think nearly all the other flats are rented out....

Also, I suspect that they could push the freehold price up to an astronomical level because of the "development opportunity" currently inherent in the property :(

[albatros]

6 months is optimistic. Try 14 months.
Freeholders: I think they're looking to spend £150k, and gain £1m in sales. I also think it's unlikely that the 1920s/30s structure would take two more floors (?)

[suzylou]

Again. All stuff I'm VERY aware of. I think 10 months realistically, if they get their act together. However, I suspect an acoustic consultant could stop them working weekends ;)

I'm looking 1/2 mil profit for them after construction cost.

And yes, structural concerns are on the LONG list of objections ;)

I'll keep you posted. However, I'm confident and optimistic at this point.

[albatros]

Want me to come up with a bullet-point list of possible points, in case you don't have enough?

[suzylou]

Every little helps...want to wait a day or two until I have my list together so that you don't just duplicate my existing thoughts? ;)