does anyone know anything about property law? need some help

[luvaduck]

...as i am in the shit big time!

We moved into our flat last year. Its leasehold and we are on the ground floor with a garden. Upstairs is rented out and the freehold is owned by a small company.

Anyway we had some work done - we basically put french doors at the back leading onto the garden - obviously making a hole in the wall to do so, and we bricked up the door on the side of the kitchen. We have got building regs signed off by the council, didn't need planning permission. problem is we didn't get permission from the freeholder to do so.

Stupid, i know, long story. I was pregnant and having lots of bleeds (all fine now) and the builder suddenly said he could do the work the next week when we thought it was going to be months.

Any advice? Apparently the freeholder could ask us to put it back - costing us thousands or fine us thousands. How likely is this? We have improved the value of the property. Also any tips with what to say to the freeholder? Someone said don't apologise too much/admit liability as then they will pick up on that and make us pay.

We would like to sell this summer.

Arrrgggh

Are you selling?You do need to ask the freeholders permission but if it is a co it is unlikely to be refused.With regards to planning and building regs if it has been ther 4 yrs plus they are powerless to act against it but the freeholder is a different matter.Contact them and explain I think it will be fine.

thanks for replying!
yes we are planning to sell this august, work was done feb last year.
we should have asked permission from freeholder before we did the work. all sorted with building regs/planning - just freeholder. yes it is a company. do you really think they'll just ok it? can they fine us? I'm worried as they are a small company so will be looking for anyway to make money!

You could be out of luck here. They are entitled to ask you to reverse the work, and might do so if the work you have done affects the look of the property as a whole, e.g. if your flat is now out of keeping with nearby flats. They might be fine with it though.

arrggghhh we are so stupid. next doors looks the same as ours does after the work - in fact loads of people have had french doors put in.
is anyone a property lawyer or had experience of this?

thanks for reply!

If lots of people have ahd it done it will probably be ok

bump
(just learnt what this means - thought it meant someone was preggers!)
anyone else got experience of this?>

It is a technicality but one you need to resolve before you sell.

yeh i know thats what i'm worried about.
losing a lot of sleep.