How to deal with this?

[newname2021]

Not an AIBU but more an are they being unreasonable (I know they are). And really hoping for some advice from you wise mnetters because I'm at a bit of a loss.

Just before Christmas we completed on our first home, a flat in a building with 4 flats in total. As part of the sale we have acquired 25% of the freehold/management company, equal with the other 3 flat-owners.

This was sold as a great thing by the estate agent but I'm starting to question that...

Since moving in we have learnt that 2 of the other flat owners are out of work and struggling for money.

Our buildings insurance is due at the end of this month and is crazy expensive due to previous claims which we were unaware of when we bought the place.

So it looks like we're all going to have to stump up £1k each to cover it. But these 2 flat owners have hinted that they can't afford it and have now gone completely silent.

We and the one other cooperative flat owner are sharing emails and copying everyone in, trying to arrange a call to discuss things but they are now just not replying.

Sorry fo the lengthy post but my question is what do we do next? We can't allow the insurance to lapse as that goes against our mortgage terms. Equally, we don't feel like paying more than our fair share of the insurance given that our fair share is already way more than we expected due to previous claims when we didn't even live here.

They're just blanking us though so I don't know what we can do? Help please!

TL:DR the owners of the other flats in our building aren't joining in discussions about an imminent buildings insurance payment which is due and it seems that they are trying to avoid the payment because they don't have the money. What should we do?

Hopeful bump

Sorry OP I've no real advise other than could you speak to the solicitor you used when you bought it to see what your options are? Are there any other joint bills that will need to be paid in the future?

I wouldnt know either but would second advice to speak to solicitor to find out I'd you can be made to pay this

Thanks very much for the replies. I guess legal advice is the only way to go but it just doesn't feel ideal given that these are our new neighbours and we haven't even met them yet.

And we're going to have to work with them in future! So legal threats aren't the best way to start out but what else can we do?

If they are refusing to answer your emails it doesn't sound like you are going to be bussom buddies anyway. Legal advise will just give you information about where you stand if they can't/ won't pay. Good luck

Thank you @BlueSuffragette

Try posting this on here www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/

It is likely that there is clause in the lease that requires leaseholders to pay a fair proportion of the costs of the insurance (it will be in the covenants section) and by failing to pay they are in breach and at risk of forfeiture (losing their leasehold interest). If the property is mortgaged then often the mortgage company will pay out owed fees to the freeholder rather than face the loss of the asset.
I think you'll need to take some legal advice given you have a split of freeholders who are willing to engage in the insurance process.

I'm not sure how flats etc work in the UK but in Australia we have a body corporate. All flat owners pay a quarterly amount that covers annual costs (administrative levy) eg insurance, garden maintenance, electricity in common areas - as well as saves for future building work (sinking fund) eg repainting outside of complex, replacing fences, putting in a pool.

It makes it much more affordable than a lump sum bill and ensures there are funds available to pay bills. The amount per quarter depends on what needs to be covered.

If it's not a thing in the UK maybe it's something you could look into.