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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:
DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:14

[quote monty09]@eggfairy1 definitely do not pay anything until you have seen the invoice from the painter, no way would it have £200 to paint one door! I am a painter & decorator and wouldn't charge that much.[/quote]
It's not one door, if you read the OP's posts.

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:16

@Heythere13

These new owners sound like they could be the best thing for the management of this large block of flats
What, having work done unilaterally and expecting the rest to just apy up without consultation or input? Is that how you'd run things? If so, it'd go tits-up pretty quickly.
CatsAreBoppinAroundToTheRadio · 13/04/2022 11:17

Apologies @eggfairy1! I have just read @readsalotgirl63 post and I see that shareholders/leasehold doesn't apply in Scotland. The thread had moved on while I was typing my essay. It looks like the above poster has good advice for you.

BlanketsBanned · 13/04/2022 11:18

DameHelena is right. The next thing you know will be new carpets, plant pots, entry system, security lights, bin sheds all of which cost money.

Heythere13 · 13/04/2022 11:18

@DameHelena

It doesn’t look like the building has been insured!

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:21

[quote Heythere13]@DameHelena

It doesn’t look like the building has been insured![/quote]
No, I know. What has that to do with my comment on management style though?

Heythere13 · 13/04/2022 11:22

They sound very proactive!

And the management structure? What management structure. It seems it’s been uninsured!

readsalotgirl63 · 13/04/2022 11:23

Its not a large block of flats. 8 in a block is pretty common in Scotland and once again there is no such thing in Scotland as leasehold ( or only very very rarely).

The OP is a first time buyer and many who have not lived in a block of flats in Scotland are unaware of how the system operates. I think it is likely that common buildings insurance is in place - OP needs to check her regular bills ( if she has any) - these may be monthly r quarterly.

Common maintenance is an obligation but only when agreed in advance and quotes sought. The deeds will tell you how you can change factor or agree to self factor but there is almost always a requirement for the agreement of a majority of owners.

The cheeky owners have acted entirely incorrectly and Op is not obliged to contribute and should tell overbearing neighbour to get lost.

CatsAreBoppinAroundToTheRadio · 13/04/2022 11:27

@readsalotgirl63

Its not a large block of flats. 8 in a block is pretty common in Scotland and once again there is no such thing in Scotland as leasehold ( or only very very rarely).

The OP is a first time buyer and many who have not lived in a block of flats in Scotland are unaware of how the system operates. I think it is likely that common buildings insurance is in place - OP needs to check her regular bills ( if she has any) - these may be monthly r quarterly.

Common maintenance is an obligation but only when agreed in advance and quotes sought. The deeds will tell you how you can change factor or agree to self factor but there is almost always a requirement for the agreement of a majority of owners.

The cheeky owners have acted entirely incorrectly and Op is not obliged to contribute and should tell overbearing neighbour to get lost.

This sounds like very sensible advice!
Mamamia7962 · 13/04/2022 11:28

Why would you give your email address to a neighbour. I'm friendly with quite a few of my neighbours, first name terms and we all exchange Christmas cards, but none of them know my email and I don't know theres.

Butchyrestingface · 13/04/2022 11:28

UPDATE: Overbearing neighbour (not cheeky neighbour) has added to the email supply chain that she has paid and is fully expecting everyone else to pay too as its our obligation. No-one else has responded

Paint brushes at dawn!

Poor you, TWO brass necks to contend with now.

I am inclined to think someone should nip this in the bud now.

(Do either of this delightful pair live directly ABOVE you?)

Ohsugarhoneyicetea · 13/04/2022 11:29

Very cheeky since they don't even live there. I'd just reply I would never have agreed to having my front door painted black. Happy to pay if you have it repainted in a colour the rest of the building owners agree to. Regards...

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:31

@Heythere13

They sound very proactive!

And the management structure? What management structure. It seems it’s been uninsured!

I'd say 'proactive' means contacting all the occupiers (WITH consent or by a mechanism not requiring private details like email addresses) and saying 'We think it'd be a good idea to set up a management committee and/or agree on a group of representatives to agree work to the shared areas.'

But by 'proactive' you mean having work done without seeking several quotes to get an agreeable price and choosing the colour in a shared space unilaterally? how do you find that fair?

Passtherioja · 13/04/2022 11:31

Just ignore it all. I doubt they'll knock on your door!

Heythere13 · 13/04/2022 11:32

This is typical 8 flat block

prestonhouseplans.com.ng/apartment-block-of-8-units-of-two-bedroom-flats/

The idea that it has not been insured? Bloody hell.

Speaks volumes re how this building has been managed to date

Heythere13 · 13/04/2022 11:33

I find it interesting that the “very very overbearing” neighbour has accepted without question.

MurmuratingStarling · 13/04/2022 11:33

Yep, I would NOT be paying. What a cheek. Hmm

Hankunamatata · 13/04/2022 11:34

I would reply saying unfortunately you weren't consulted and this is not affordable in your budget currently.

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:34

Would love to hear back from you on my question, Heythere13.
And I think overbearing neighbour has accepted because they're the same kind of person as the new ones and find it acceptable to railroad people.

Butchyrestingface · 13/04/2022 11:35

@Heythere13

These new owners sound like they could be the best thing for the management of this large block of flats
Oh yes, who WOULDN'T want to live in a Glasgow tenement directly below a BLT flat?

Done it myself. Fun times (not).

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:35

@Hankunamatata

I would reply saying unfortunately you weren't consulted and this is not affordable in your budget currently.
Why give them info about personal finances? and why 'unfortunately'? There is no need to explain or to apologise. 'No, I won't be paying; I wasn't consulted on cost or colour so it's impossible for me to have agreed to it.'
Chestofdraws · 13/04/2022 11:37

I do think the only thing done wrong here is not asking in advance, the op admits it needed doing, so other than using this weeks fun money for it, she can afford it. Joint areas do need to be maintained. They do need to start a committee though and manage this, because there will always be one who would rather spend on fun than property maintenance.

For 25 quid it’s a bargain, she benefits, she didn’t need to organise it, and it won’t need done again for years.

DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:40

@Chestofdraws

I do think the only thing done wrong here is not asking in advance, the op admits it needed doing, so other than using this weeks fun money for it, she can afford it. Joint areas do need to be maintained. They do need to start a committee though and manage this, because there will always be one who would rather spend on fun than property maintenance.

For 25 quid it’s a bargain, she benefits, she didn’t need to organise it, and it won’t need done again for years.

Not asking in advance and not consulting on colour or getting a range of quotes.
DameHelena · 13/04/2022 11:40

BTW, 'there will always be one who would rather spend on fun than property maintenance' is a bit bitchy. If the OP had known there was a maintenance cost on the horizon she could have budgeted for it, could't she.

DelphiniumBlue · 13/04/2022 11:44

In light of your most recent update, I wouldn't do anything at all yet. Wait and see what the other flatowners do. As you are being copied in on emails, you will probably get to hear what their reactions are.
I don't know how the Scottish system works but in England, a flat would almost certainly be leasehold, and there would be a lease which would include maintenance arrangements. Your solicitor should have checked this out when you bought, and should have reported to you explaining what the arrangements are. This is standard procedure. You should also have been required to have building insurance in place as a condition of your mortgage - it's a bit odd that you say you didn't know about this, as your solicitor would be required to make sure this is all in place.