Grrr... crack monitoring freehold saga, but it's all my own fault, I think...

[alittleteapot]

Bit boring but need to sound off. I have a flat which I rent out (long story). the letting agent suggested I get a structural engineer to look at some cracks. I paid for this even though it was joint responsibility with my co-freeholder. She is hostile to say the least and I (stupidly) pay for things sometimes just for a quiet life.

The engineer recommended monitoring. The co-freeholder again refused to pay and asked me not to monitor external cracks (presumably because this would be visible to potential buyers.) and asked me not to inform the insurance co. I did inform the insurers (as per our contract with them) and their engineer said the cracks were historic and nothing to worry about. (It's true it's always been a bit of a cracky house).

So we left things.

She then put her flat on the market. Her buyer's surveyor has now again suggested that a structural engineer should look at the cracks . I am guessing they will again suggest monitoring. Meanwhile my tenants have moved out and I am also preparing to sell. I feel so stupid for not putting my foot down with my neighbour earlier, as it seems to me that there's unlikely to be a way out of monitoring only now she gets to sell and I'll be stuck for another year.

I'm the one that's always been proactive and more than willing to act on my responsiblities as a freeholder, and yet it looks like it's me who's going to end up being shafted. Wish I could learn to stand my ground.

Sorry, just had to sound off, and kind of hoping one of you wise women would have some advice...

[lalalonglegs]

Can you not show anyone the engineer's report from whenever it was done plus correspondence with the insurers? I don't understand in what way she is getting oneover on you - am I missing something?

[alittleteapot]

thanks for replying to my boring problem. well, the buyer has seen both reports. I feel my co-freeholder's getting one over on me because it looks like any buyer of either of our flats will want a structural engineers report and why would hte results be any different? For her, her buyer is so far down the process and has already invested in surveys etc that he's got a vested interest in sticking around even if the property has to be monitored. But for me, with my flat due to go on the market in a few weeks, it will surely put any new buyers off. If I'd insisted we monitor the cracks in the first place the whole thing would be resolved by now so I just feel I let her bully me into leaving things be, though admittedly the insurer's verdict of a clean bill of health for the house made me comfortable with this. I'm just worried I'm now stuck with an empty flat that will be difficult to sell.

But tell me I'm wrong. I can't really think straight about it because I worry too much about the human relations.

[FeelingEvil]

She's probably done you a favour. Really bad time to sell now

[lalalonglegs]

tbh, surveyors recommend monitoring for any crack no matter how insignificant to cover their backs. If their has been an engineer's report done in recent history saying cracks were historic, I don't think anyone would wish to pursue the matter any further and flat would have clean bill of health.

Agree with FeelingEvil though, you may be better finding another tenant...

[alittleteapot]

Thanks lala, that makes me feel a bit better. thanks FE, that doesn't!

[lalalonglegs]

oops their there