Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Cheeky neighbours want me to pay

435 replies

eggfairy1 · 12/04/2022 22:55

New neighbours bought a flat in my building. There are eight flats in total in the building.

I haven't met them yet but they're buying for investment and I found it posted online for rent already.

I came home the other day to find the main door to the building had been painted. It was shabby before and could do with a coat but this was surprising since I hadn't been consulted and it was a shared door. The new colour is black which I was always told was a bad omen. I really didn't like it but didn't want to make a fuss.

They have now emailed us saying they want the flats to equally contribute £25. Lovely to meet you too.

It may not sound like a lot of money but I am really budgeting right now and my weekly budget for fun is £30 and it would have to come from that which is miserable.

I just know if I send them the money I will be bitter about it and anxious that they may expect me to pay in the future without consenting me.

If asked, I would have reluctantly agreed to have it painted just not black.

Is there any way I can get away with not paying and not entirely ruin any relationship with them?

OP posts:
Scoobydoobydo · 15/04/2022 16:26

There must be something set in place in your flats to cover communal areas surely?
What happens if the roof collapses? Do just the top flats pay?
What happens if the front door got smashed in?
Would I pay this £25?
No I would politely decline.

CatHseb · 15/04/2022 18:44

I would prob pay this time but make it very clear that all future changes must have at least 2 quotes and be agreed by all residents first in a formal residents meeting

Kennykenkencat · 15/04/2022 20:54

@CatHseb

I would prob pay this time but make it very clear that all future changes must have at least 2 quotes and be agreed by all residents first in a formal residents meeting
Absolutely not. If you pay now you will always be in for more and saying you want 2 quotes just gives them room to produce 2 extortionate quotes and then hold you to paying one of them.

These people are CF’s who if you give them an inch they will take a mile.

me109f · 16/04/2022 03:56

You are not obliged to pay. The leasehold should define how renovations are made and sometimes specify what colour the front door should be. If is painted it should be in accordance with the lease or at least with consultation with the other leaseholders before the work is done.

Personally I would not want black, but it depends on the situation.

Poopootatty · 16/04/2022 04:13

Going against the grain here but I would pay. It’s only £25 and whilst I get the principle, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the perception that I owed something.

I would be making it clear as PPs say, that any future work needs to be agreed upfront and this is the only time you will pay without such agreement.

LilQueenie · 16/04/2022 04:22

How did they get your email to begin with?

Forward to trading standards. Assuming they are a company.

We had a flat in a block end up online when it was bought to rent out. In the video after all the "great place to live hype" which its not really that great and "done to a high quality! speech bollocks.... they opned a cupboard and a piece of the interior wall/ceiling feel to the floor Grin Made my day.

MRex · 16/04/2022 06:54

Why is everyone so excited about the email address when they know where she lives?!?!? OP can put it in spam with no come-back if that's what she wants, the email address won't give anyone open access to her wallet. Everyone from the bank, shops and spammers have an email address, it isn't a big deal. We have a WhatsApp group for the whole street, as well as email. If there is to be a vote or any other discussion about common areas work, then email is a sensible way to gather input with minimal effort. The issue is about them spending OP's money without the consultation legally required.

Bellringer · 16/04/2022 12:00

Why are people saying pay? Makes no sense. One owner from each flat should get together and sort it out

Comefromaway · 16/04/2022 12:07

All the people saying pay it this once, it’s not much are ignoring the fact the OP said she’s on a really tight budget.

If the door had REALLY needed painting I’m sure she’d have agreed and taken the hit but it didn’t.

SoupDragon · 16/04/2022 12:13

Forward to trading standards.

What on earth for??

Wintersgirl · 16/04/2022 12:15

@Comefromaway

All the people saying pay it this once, it’s not much are ignoring the fact the OP said she’s on a really tight budget.

If the door had REALLY needed painting I’m sure she’d have agreed and taken the hit but it didn’t.

I know and where does it stop? They might decide the building needs repointing next...I know they probably won't but you get my drift.
Br1256 · 16/04/2022 20:14

In a block of flats there is a usually a service charge which is meant to cover the cost of maintainence , which would include the painting of any communal areas. What do the managing agents/company say about this. They may well insist that the doors are returned to their original colour. Was also wondering how the new owners got your email address.

Kennykenkencat · 17/04/2022 00:06

[quote readsalotgirl63]**@Kennykenkencat* In Scotland as @BoredZelda* says all property is freehold. I think the ground floor flats own the ground they are on. The roof is a shared responsibility. Each block usually has a property manager - called a Factor who arranges communal buildings insurance and communal maintenance. The detail of how a Factor can be changed is usually in the deeds and it is possible for a group of owners to decide to self- factor.

Factors are bound by quite tight legislation and all maintenance should be agreed in advance and quotes sought and shared before work is done - thats why OP should really not contribute to this as the issue here is the lack of consultation and prior agreement.
This website is useful and explains how it works
underoneroof.scot/[/quote]
Are ground floor flat hugely more expensive if they own the land the flats are built on.
If the block of flats burns down/falls to the ground, everyone gets paid out from their insurance company but then the ground floor flat is paid out from their insurance company but is then left with a prime bit of land to sell on as well.

BoredZelda · 17/04/2022 00:20

@Kennykenkencat

It depends. Sometimes the deeds will state the solum is owned in common. If not, it is owned by the ground floor owner(s). They aren't usually more expensive as the flats are usually smaller, as is the market for them. Many will choose not to live in a ground floor flat.

Socksey · 17/04/2022 10:24

I'm not paying and service charge at the moment other than a stairwell cleaner.

Does this mean it's free hold?

Theres no service company and likely no building insurance although my individual flat is insured

If you're in Scotland, there's a good chance it's freehold... however there should be something about how communal matters are dealt with.... usually you would pay a factor who will organise building insurance and other maintenance works
Insurance for just your property may not be enough in case there was ever something like a fire which damaged the building
But the new people are definitely CFs .... they can't unilaterally decide stuff and expect people to pay.... it sets a bad precedent if you pay now with no further consultation

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 17/04/2022 10:24

@Keepitonthedownlow

As them if they got any quotes for the work. £200 for door painting seems quite a lot.
I think it’s a bargain if done properly - sanding (ugh), indercoat(s), gloss
Cailleach1 · 17/04/2022 12:39

I think it’s a bargain if done properly - sanding (ugh), indercoat(s), gloss

Is this likely, though? Op came home to find it had been done that day, I think. So, the sanding, couple coats undercoat (along with 24hrs for that to dry) and the gloss over it could not have happened if that was the timeframe.

Maybe the buy to let owner had paint left over from their own work, and then got the painter to slap it on the front and inner door. Even if there is an invoice, you'd have to be sure it is for the communal front and inner door. Not one from the buy to let owner's own flat outer or inner doors.

Cailleach1 · 17/04/2022 12:46

Also, if it was just a cosmetic slap on, then it will possibly weather badly. So, the other owners may not just be stung with a higher cost for Cheeky (unilaterally) cutting corners now; they would also have to have it repainted properly in the not too distant future.

Grrrrdarling · 18/04/2022 13:08

If they didn’t pre-discuss the work & took it upon themselves to amend the communal area that cost is on them. Imagine the situation being like a builder putting a wall up outside your house, without asking you, then expecting you to pay for it!
If they wanted others to contribute to the cost they should have canvassed the building 1st.

Grrrrdarling · 18/04/2022 13:14

@eggfairy1

I had a look at the deeds and there is no mention of leasehold or freehold but it says in order for maintenance the majority of the flats should be in agreement then the work can carry out and the rest are obligated to pay.

I'm also in Scotland

If no one agreed to the work then the new owners broke the buildings contract may actually need to reinstate the door to it’s original stateShock. I’d be requesting a FULL breakdown of the work they carried out, costs involved & who they asked about doing the work before even entering into a discussion about who should & shouldn’t contribute to the cost.
recklessgran · 18/04/2022 15:45

No way I'd pay this on principle OP.
So, what happens next week when for example THEY decide that they don't like the look of, say, the front garden, get someone in to landscape or gravel it and retrospectively bill you all for an eighth of that?
Christ on a bike this could go on and on!
Surely someone needs to tell them that nothing gets done without consultation and agreement from the other residents in the block?

DameHelena · 19/04/2022 12:42

@Jillyfernilly

There is some bad advice on this thread.

I'd listen to @MrsBellamy the situation for tenenments (or tenement like) buildings in Scotland is very different to that in England.

My advice in this situation would be to register strongly that you are unhappy there was no consultation as required by the title deeds and state unequivocally that if this happens again you will not pay but as a gesture of goodwill you will pay on this occasion.

Send this to ALL your neighbours not just the ones who spend the money.

And do think about setting up something more formal with your neighbours. Tenement maintenance can become a total ball ache.

I really don't get why you (and others) are saying to pay on this occasion. The new lot didn't show much 'goodwill', did they? And those still stuck on the quality/cost of the work, a) it's irrelevant; it's the principle and b) the OP said she 'came home the other day to find the main door' repainted. A proper job with sanding, undercoat, then final coat, should take longer than the span of a working day. They're trying to pull a fast one.
Nave · 19/04/2022 14:34

When you bought your flat your solicitor should have looked at things like responsibility for repairs and maintenance. It’s insane not having proper arrangements. What happens if there is a serious problem with the roof or a bad leak.

Madamum18 · 19/04/2022 17:54
  1. Email the cheeky neighbour and introduce yourself in a friendly manner.
  1. Then add a comment about the door painting..."I have noted the cost of the doors being painted. I am wondering if you are aware of the details in the leasehold documents regarding getting majority agreement before arranging any work. This would include both cost and colour. I thought you would find it helpful to be aware of that for future reference.
  1. The cost is a big chunk from my budget. On this occasion I will pay in 2 (or 3) instalments over the next 2 (or 3) months.

Regarding the bossy neighbour ignore her. She can expect what she likes, just as you can. And you are stating clearly in the above email what the "rules" are that apply to ALL leaseholders including her!!

Good luck

Bellringer · 19/04/2022 19:05

IGNORE, why do people say pay!??!