How to find out if pets allowed on a lease?

[Hotpinkparade]

I am looking at buying a flat, and have my eye on a particular building local to me that ticks a lot of boxes. The only thing I cannot find out is whether the terms of the lease (all flats are share of freehold, so will be governed by an overall lease, as I understand) prohibit pets. This would rule the building out, and so we need to know whether it's worth waiting for a flat in this block to come up or not.

Is there any way to view leases online? None of the listings for previous flats mention pets one way or another. We have gone so far as hanging around outside in case anyone comes out who we can ask, or we see anyone going in or out with a dog, but no luck yet...! Any other ideas?

Ask?

Ask the estate agent. When I was selling my flat recently, we were asked this by prospective buyers.

Ask the estate agent for a copy of the lease.

I bought a flat years ago and it said that pets were at discretion of the freeholders. I made the seller get permission agreed before exchange, as the uncertainty was a deal breaker for me.

Ask who? There aren't any flats currently listed for sale. We are waiting to see if and when one comes up. But no point biding our time if this factor would rule out the block entirely.

So many estates will have it mentioned on signs around the estate who the managing agent is. Even if they are share of freehold it is likely they have appointed someone to do the admin for them. Have a look see if you can see anything and then contact them?

Ask a current resident

The management company/estate agent/whoever is renting the flats out...