To ask who is responsible for the windows?

[Cow00000]

I bought a flat in a block of several a year ago. Got it for a good price, it has sash windows which are old and knackered, half of them do not even open.
I'm in a conservation area too, would the property company be responsible for the cost of fixing/replacing these windows, or would it be me?

Depends on your lease contract. I own in a block of flats and we are responsible for our own windows. There are guidelines to what the windows need to look like. Is there a management agent you can ask?

You’ve bought it so not sure what you mean by the property company. You will be responsible and if it’s on a conservation area they may have clear rules on replace or repair only.

I mean the company managing the building where the flats are.

Were you not given any documentation about who's responsible for what when you bought the flat?

You should contact the management company and ask for that.

I've asked them, just waiting on a reply and interested to hear what others thought. Thanks

Usually, the management company organises work like this and the cost is split between the owners.

I know that a friend had to pay for new windows just after buying his flat. The company decided it needed doing and he had no say, but had to pay. The same thing happened to a friend re a significant exterior redecoration project.

Thank you!

It doesn’t terribly matter what others think here, because it will be entirely dependent on what your leasehold states. If your freeholder is responsible for cyclical maintenance such as window replacements, they’ll usually have a planned asset schedule and the costs will then be recharged to all leaseholders. Sometimes leaseholders will be responsible for their own maintenance, and if in a conservation area you’ll be required to ensure that the contractor you choose and any materials are compliant with the conservation standards.

Thank you

it's always been the property owner in flats I've lived in. Management company only dealt with communal areas and grounds.

I used to live in a block of flats with original windows. The management company was responsible for the windows and having the frames painted, unless the owner of the flat had the windows replaced at which point the upkeep was then taken on by the flat owner. Many wanted double glazing some over the years most had been replaced.

It will be set out in your lease.

When I lived in a flat, the owner was responsible for the costs but the leaseholder had to approve the alterations and there were restrictions about what could and couldn’t be done.

Just out of interest, how much do you pay monthly for the maintenance charges? I was looking for an apartment at one point and the maintenance was coming up to £3,000 per year but all I could see they were doing was vacuuming the communal areas once a week and washing the outside windows once in a blue moon.