Unexpected £12k s20 revealed 2 weeks after completion

[lessonsintightropes]

Hi all

We have just moved into a leasehold property and have been informed by the freeholder that we are liable for one quarter of the cost of a new roof. Notice had been served on the vendors who then lied on the form. The freeholder (a housing association) was spoken to verbally prior to completion and apparently confirmed at that point no works were due.

Any idea on what to do about this? I accept (reluctantly) we will have to pay the £12k, but surely someone is at fault here?

I think the previous owners can be pursued for the costs if you can prove it. I'm not a lawyer, though.

I think you may be able to sue them. What barstados.

If notice had been served - presumably there is some sort of paper trail with dates etc on which can be used to prove the vendors knew about it when they omitted to tell you?

If that is the case I would think you'd have a very strong case to get at least the cost of the works from them. (IANAL though)

I suppose your loss is what extra you have to pay because you were not told. It is possible had you been told in advance knowing that when you buy leasehold these kinds of costs are common you might still have proceeded even had you been told and thus your loss might be zero (just playing devil's advocate here). In other words their failure to tell you has not resulted in your owing £12k in a sense. Anyway your solicitor who acted for you in the purchase should be able to advise you better on how to sue the seller for breach of the contract with you and/or misrepresentation and what the contract terms say about what the seller promises and what you are allowed to claim if those promises are wrong.